The New Tri-State Defender won six top awards, including three first-place finishes, in the Tennessee Press Association’s 2022 newspaper contest co-sponsored by the University of Tennessee system, which has been part of the annual event since 1940.

The awards were announced on Friday (Aug. 26) during the annual TPA luncheon, which this year was held at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville.

“The New Tri-State Defender’s editorial model relies heavily upon an evolving cadre of contributors,” said Associate Publisher/Executive Editor Karanja A. Ajanaku.

“They are linked by the 71-year-old tradition of community service that extends from the newspaper’s founding as a weekly to its present-day status as the anchor for the multi-platform delivery of news and more. My thanks and appreciation to all who labor alongside me for the greater good, especially for the African-American community.”

TPA newspaper contest winners are determined by reciprocal judging with another state’s association. This year, the Hoosier State Press Association of Indiana judged 1,130 entries from 67 of the Tennessee Press Association’s 133 member newspapers.

First place

*Coronavirus Features: Contributors – Candace A. Gray, Dr. Sybil C. Mitchell, Jerome Wright (deputy editor), Karanja A. Ajanaku.

*Best Personal Column: Lee Eric Smith – “Why I couldn’t stop crying on Inauguration Day”

*Best News Photograph: “Spirit of Gratitude” – Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises

Second place

*Best Feature Photograph: Gary S. Whitlow/GSW Enterprises – “Brrr! It’s cold”

 Third Place

*Best News Reporting: Karanja A. Ajanaku – “Getting a handle on gun violence”

Fourth Place

*Best Personal Column: Lee Eric Smith – “After the Capitol siege, will we even be able to talk to each other?”

The TSD finishes strong in 2021 TPA state press contests