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In the White House Press Briefing Room...
In October of 2010...
My affinity for words began in 1968. That was the year Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, and the year my father reneged on paying me the $3 he promised if I memorized King's "I Have A Dream" speech.
In the end, though, reciting that speech numerous times at church meetings, in front of my grandmother's company, and in other eye-roll inducing situations paid off in a bigger way. It exposed me to the power of language.
It was power I longed to master.
So years later, I earned a journalism degree from the University of Florida, and I ultimately became an opinion columnist at The Florida Times-Union and the first black member of its Editorial Board.
Over the years, I've:
I also write a weekly column for BlackAmericaWeb.com, one of the nation's leading Web sites for news and commentary about African Americans. Additionally, I serve as managing editor for The Institute for Advanced Journalism Studies, a non-profit dedicated to independent journalism work. I've edited and coordinated reporting projects ranging from the 40th anniversary of the 1968 Kerner Commission Report on Civil Disorders, to black childhood obesity and the black-white education achievement gap.
Much of my insight comes from my history and my travels, not to mention hard data and my experiences living in an inner-city neighborhood in Jacksonville, where I see first hand how people's lives are impacted by politics, disparities in health, wealth and criminal justice, and on how demographic and social changes are poised to change our world — or at least the way we think about people once regarded as disposable.
In the end, though, reciting that speech numerous times at church meetings, in front of my grandmother's company, and in other eye-roll inducing situations paid off in a bigger way. It exposed me to the power of language.
It was power I longed to master.
So years later, I earned a journalism degree from the University of Florida, and I ultimately became an opinion columnist at The Florida Times-Union and the first black member of its Editorial Board.
Over the years, I've:
- Won 15 state and national awards for my columns, including two from the prestigious Florida Society of News Editors and a first-place commentary award from the National Association of Black Journalists in 2000.
- Was inducted into the NABJ Region V Hall of Fame in 2005 for my work.
- Appeared on ABC's Nightline, BET Tonight and National Public Radio.
- Interviewed leaders such as former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and President Barack Obama.
- Had my work published in The San Francisco Chronicle, the Baltimore Sun, and other newspapers throughout the country.
I also write a weekly column for BlackAmericaWeb.com, one of the nation's leading Web sites for news and commentary about African Americans. Additionally, I serve as managing editor for The Institute for Advanced Journalism Studies, a non-profit dedicated to independent journalism work. I've edited and coordinated reporting projects ranging from the 40th anniversary of the 1968 Kerner Commission Report on Civil Disorders, to black childhood obesity and the black-white education achievement gap.
Much of my insight comes from my history and my travels, not to mention hard data and my experiences living in an inner-city neighborhood in Jacksonville, where I see first hand how people's lives are impacted by politics, disparities in health, wealth and criminal justice, and on how demographic and social changes are poised to change our world — or at least the way we think about people once regarded as disposable.
Celebrating with readers after
being honored on Jacksonville's 2012
Black History Calendar.
Recent columns...
Black America Web, Aug. 21, 2012
"GOP's Insensitivity Toward Rape Victims."
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/news/top-news/gop%E2%80%99s-insensitivity-toward-rape-victims
Black America Web, July 31, 2012
"Freedom of Expression: A Double-Edged Sword."
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/news/top-news/freedom-expression-double-edged-sword
The Florida Times-Union, June 7, 2012
"Despite Rick Scott, Courts Protecting Rights."
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403605/tonyaa-weathersbee/2012-06-07/despite-rick-scott-courts-protecting-rights
Black America Web, Aug. 21, 2012
"GOP's Insensitivity Toward Rape Victims."
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/news/top-news/gop%E2%80%99s-insensitivity-toward-rape-victims
Black America Web, July 31, 2012
"Freedom of Expression: A Double-Edged Sword."
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/news/top-news/freedom-expression-double-edged-sword
The Florida Times-Union, June 7, 2012
"Despite Rick Scott, Courts Protecting Rights."
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/403605/tonyaa-weathersbee/2012-06-07/despite-rick-scott-courts-protecting-rights
In the Roosevelt Room of the White House with President Obama and members of the William Monroe Trotter Group, October 2010...
On the set of WTEV 47/FOX 30 Action News Sunday show, July 2012
What people are saying about Tonyaa...
"Thank you for your column regarding discrimination against gays. Your point that this discrimination ban directly affects families was right on point. You make an effective argument for your position."
-Michael Thrift, reader, Jacksonville.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. I read your editorial regarding the jail-issued bologna...and was pleased to see someone address exactly what it means to demean any of the complex problems that we face in this community.
-Gwendolyn E. Gibson, former School Board member, Jacksonville.
"You approach your subject matter with sensitivity, honesty and objectivity and...you say it like it is. Thank you."
-Delores Barr Weaver, former co-owner, Jacksonville Jaguars.
"Thank you for your column regarding discrimination against gays. Your point that this discrimination ban directly affects families was right on point. You make an effective argument for your position."
-Michael Thrift, reader, Jacksonville.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. I read your editorial regarding the jail-issued bologna...and was pleased to see someone address exactly what it means to demean any of the complex problems that we face in this community.
-Gwendolyn E. Gibson, former School Board member, Jacksonville.
"You approach your subject matter with sensitivity, honesty and objectivity and...you say it like it is. Thank you."
-Delores Barr Weaver, former co-owner, Jacksonville Jaguars.
