Rahkia Nance, FAMU ’04 and reporter with the Birmingham News, along with her co-worker Robert Gordon are finalists for the Rufus N. Rhodes Excellence in Media Award! This award goes to reporters or media organizations whose work has had a significant impact on the Birmingham region. Last summer Robert and Rahkia wrote a series of stories about corruption in the Lipscomb Police Department and City Hall. (This is the small town where the mayor was driving a stolen car and was later revealed to be a convicted felon). After all was said and done, the mayor resigned and two city councilmen were slapped with felony charges.

It is not surprising that a FAMU graduate is up for an award recognizing excellence. It is after all what we are about. Part of the selection process includes a public vote. So let’s get behind our

Rattler and support Rahkia by going to http://birminghamchamber.com/chamber/communication-medianight_polls08.html and voting. Voting is open through Aug. 8.