This year BWRC received seventeen scholarship applications for the 2009 Black Writers Reunion & Conference in Las Vegas. Initially we offered three one-day scholarships, but six of these were so outstanding that we are accepting four—two on Thursday and two on Friday. The 2009 BWRC scholarship recipients are:

Sharla Atkins-Beal, San Diego, California
Tyrona A. Hill, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Joyce Smith, Houston, Texas
Kelly Baptist, Pensacola, Florida

For the first time this year, we will also have two young writers attending on Director’s Scholarships:

LaCara Rogers (12), Fort Worth, Texas
Oni Blanton (14), Portsmouth, Virginia

Congratulations to all writers. Each winner will receive a Microsoft Word manuscript or screenplay template from Pentouch Editing & Information Design as will several runners-up. Thanks to all who submitted applications and committee members who participated in the selection process.