ASNE partners with The Associated Press Managing Editors to present the McGruder awards to those who have made a significant contribution during a given year or over a number of years toward furthering diversity in newspaper content and in recruiting, developing and retaining journalists of color. Begun in 2002, the awards are given at the annual APME conference.
The 2011 awards are being sponsored by the Free Press, the Plain Dealer, Kent State University, and the Freedom Forum.