Spirit of Diversity: "It is an incredible honor." - Lynette Clemetson...

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Founding managing editor of theRoot.com, Lynette Clemetson, was a guest on The Craig Fahle Show. Clemetson is being honored by Wayne State University on April 16 with the tenth annual Helen Thomas Spirit of Diversity in the Media Award. "To receive any award with Helen Thomas' name attached to it is an incredible honor," Clemetson said. "And beyond that, the particular purpose of the Spirit of Diversity Award is especially important now at a time when media is changing and we need to make sure we maintain a focus on keeping a diversity of voice and a diversity of views in our media outlets." The Spirit of Diversity in the Media Awards, as well as the student scholarships by the same name, are named for Wayne State alumna Helen Thomas '42 who was a member of the White House Press Corps during every presidential administration from Kennedy to Clinton and remains active as a freelance political writer today. Other honorees at the April 16 event on campus at St. Andrews Hall are Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Leonard Pitts, Jr.; assistant managing editor of The Detroit News, Walter Middlebrook; publisher of the Arab American News, Osama Siblani; and senior editor of the Michigan Chronicle, Bankole Thompson.