St. Paul, MN, August 2, 2001 -- In the midst of almost daily accounts of renewed racial challenges, a recent chipping away at the Americans with Disabilities Act by the Supreme Court, and threatened boycotts by civil rights groups against the major networks because of their apparent "whitewashing" of entertainment television, there is an organization that is honoring employers who are meeting the diversity challenge. The American Scene Awards, celebrating its 14th year and presented by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists' Equal Employment Opportunities Committee, recognize television and radio producers who portray the diversity of the American scene in a realistic and balanced manner.

This year's Television Entertainment Award is being presented to Producer Jim Friedman, of the Dreambuilder Celebration, for Our Father. This 48-minute dramatic presentation, aired on independent stations in the Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana region, tells the story of African American families in situations of growth, marriage and career choices. Produced as part of The Procter & Gamble Dreambuilder Celebration, the TV airing was the culmination of a playwriting competition for African Americans artists.