Chrysler Group Award Prizes at the National Black Journalist Convention

               "Spirit in the Words" Recognizes Aspiring Poets

    AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 30 A mix of metaphors and real-
life cultural experiences enabled three journalists to capture the top prizes
at the "Spirit in the Words" poetry contest during the National Association of
Black Journalists convention in Orlando, Florida.  Diane Parker of the
Associated Press, New York won first place; Rovenia "Dr. Ro" Brock from Black
Entertainment Television (BET), and DeNatalie Phillips, President,
Communications Consultants, Inc., won second and third places respectively.
An independent panel of judges selected the winning poets based on their
delivery, content and creativity.
    Sponsored by the Chrysler Group, the "Spirit in the Words" poetry contest
is offered at select venues throughout the U.S.  The program invites
participants to read and perform their works in an effort to further the art
of poetry.
    "The 'Spirit in the Words' poetry program celebrates the foundation of
communication through the spoken and written word," said Kenneth Levy,
Chrysler Group Vice President of Communications.
    "Chrysler Group is proud to sponsor this event which celebrates these
journalists while offering us all a glimpse of their unique cultural
experiences."
    According to the National Endowment of the Arts, 24 million people in the
U.S. write creatively for their own fulfillment.  Of those, 2.3 million have
published their work.
    The "Spirit in the Words" poetry program began in Detroit, Michigan in
1994.  At that time, 47 journalists and poets attended the event.  Today, the
program reaches hundreds of journalists and aspiring poets throughout the U.S.

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