LONG-TIME PITTSBURGH MAGAZINE CORRESPONDENT ERVIN DYER DISPLAYS HIS VANN AWARD IN THE HISTORY/ CULTURE/ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT CATEGORY. | PHOTO BY VIRGINIA LINN

Pittsburgh Magazine has taken first place in three of the four Excellence in Writing Journalism categories for Magazine entries at the 36th annual Robert L. Vann Awards.

The event, held at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, is sponsored by the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, an organization that advocates for fair representation of the Black community in the news.

The winners include:

• News Feature/Profile: Cristina Rouvalis, “Pittsburgher of the Year Andrew McCutchen.”
• History/Culture/Arts/Entertainment: Ervin Dyer, “Bringing the Light: The Aurora Reading Club.“
• Business/Consumer/Technology: Ollie Gratzinger, “The Soil Sisters.“

Magazine finalists for these awards included two entries in the Business/Consumer/Technology category by Kristy Graver (“Barrel & Flow is more than just a Beer Fest” and “Booze Crews: Pittsburgh’s History is Steeped in the Spirits Industry”) and an entry in the Public Affairs/Health/Education category by Amy Whipple (“What Makes People Sick or Healthy?”).

Established in 1973, the federation also works to increase the presence of journalists of color in newsrooms and other media organizations, and recognizes and promotes dignity, excellence and integrity in news coverage. The journalism awards honor the longtime publisher and editor of the Pittsburgh Courier, Robert L. Vann.

In a major tribute, the federation honored Elaine Effort, a longtime journalist at KQV 1410 Radio and co-founder of the federation, who died in November. The federation renamed its community champion award in her name, presenting that this year to Girl Scout Troop #52208, an organization Effort supported; and the Omega Dr. Carter G. Woodson Academy.

Accolades also were awarded to Olga George (Legacy Award), press secretary for Mayor Ed Gainey who for 30 years trained youths in journalism in the federation’s Frank Bolden Urban Multimedia Workshop;  Emmai Alaquiva (Communicator of the Year), an Emmy award-winning film director and photographer; and Ciora Thomas (Trailblazer Award), founder of the Black and trans-led nonprofit Sisters/Pgh in 2013.