Apply by March 24 at MinorityWritersSeminar.org for May 1-4 event.

Experienced minority journalists are invited to apply for the intensive seminar on opinion writing at the  John Seigenthaler Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn.

Participants explore the nuts-and-bolts of writing opinion in a “boot camp” environment and hear presentations from nationally known speakers, said program director Tommy Denton, retired editorial page editor and past president of the Association of Opinion Journalists Foundation. The foundation sponsors the highly successful seminar in partnership with the institute.

Veteran members of AOJ lead simulated editorial board meetings and oversee and critique the writing of two opinion pieces during the seminar.

The seminar also features presentations by nationally known speakers including Erica D. Smith, Metro columnist and innovative opinion writer at Indianapolis Star, and  Val Hoeppner, a digital journalist who will discuss social media skills in today's communications world.

Enrollment is limited to 12. Minority journalists who have been writing opinion for less than two years may apply.

AOJ Foundation pays for lodging and food at the seminar and reimburses up to $200 for transportation.

Past participants praise the value of the writing exercises and the “exceptional” faculty: "This is a MUST experience for any journalists seeking to expand their skill set,” said Starla Muhammad of The Final Call. “One of the best writing/journalism seminars I have ever attended.”

For more information and to apply online, go to www.MinorityWritersSeminar.org.

Faculty for 2014 Minority Writers Seminar:

• Vanessa Gallman, editorial page editor, Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky, former Seminar director, and past president of AOJ and AOJ Foundation.
• Andre Jackson, editorial editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and AJC.com and participant in 2008 seminar
• O. Ricardo Pimentel, editorial writer/columnist, San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio, Texas
• Chuck Stokes, editorial/public affairs director for WXYZ-TV/Channel 7 in Detroit, and past president of AOJ and AOJ Foundation.

Speakers for 2014 Minority Writers Seminar

• Val Hoeppner, digital journalist who trains journalists in mobile, social, video and multi-platform storytelling
• Rick Horowitz, founder and “Wordsmith in Chief” of Prime Prose, LLC, Emmy winning commentator for Milwaukee Public TV and former syndicated columnist
• Gene Policinski, Chief Operation Officer Newseum Institute and Senior Vice President/First Amendment Center, AOJ Foundation board member

• Erica D. Smith, Metro columnist and innovative opinion writer, Indianapolis Star

• John Seigenthaler, chair emeritus, The Tennessean, and founder of First Amendment Center.

(Posted 2014-03-07; updated 2014-03-108 11:50 cst)