Press Room
Washington Informer, Cherry Blossom Festival Establish Historic Partnership
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Danielle Davis, Communications Manager, National Cherry Blossom Festival
202-638-8374 / danielle@downtowndc.org
Denise Rolark Barnes, Publisher, Washington Informer
202-561-4100 / denise@washingtoninformer.com
WASHINGTON INFORMER, CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL ESTABLISH HISTORIC PARTNERSHIP
District of Columbia Newspaper Becomes a Festival Media Partner for the First Time
Washington, DC [March 4, 2014] – The Washington Informer newspaper and the National Cherry Blossom Festival today announced that for the first time, the Informer will serve as one of the prestigious National Cherry Blossom Festival’s Media Partners, supporting the historic celebration of Japan’s gift of cherry trees to the city of Washington, DC. Also, through this relationship, the Washington Informer becomes the first African American newspaper to serve as a Media Partner.
“This Festival celebrates a beautiful, long-lasting friendship between two nations and embodies the importance of diversity and cultural collaboration,” said Denise Rolark Barnes, publisher of the Washington Informer. “We are truly honored to become an active participant in this wonderful event that so clearly defines the essence of our city.”
The Washington Informer Newspaper Company was founded in 1964 by Dr. Calvin Rolark, Ms. Rolark Barnes’ father. The newspaper’s mission was to highlight the positive images of African Americans. For 50 years, the newspaper has embraced and expanded that mission, striving to educate, empower and inform all Metropolitan Washington residents. The Informer reaches over 50,000 readers each week through its award-winning print edition and a weekly average of 30,000 visitors to its website. The newspaper also sponsors a popular City-Wide Spelling Bee, now in its 32nd year.
The 2014 National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates the 102nd anniversary of the gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington, DC. More than 1.5 million people visit the District each year to admire the blossoming trees and participate in diverse and creative programming that make up the nation’s most famous springtime celebration. This year’s festivities will take place Thursday, March 20, through Sunday, April 13. For more information, visit nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.
About the National Cherry Blossom Festival
The National Cherry Blossom Festival is the nation’s greatest springtime celebration. The 2014 Festival, March 20 – April 13, includes three spectacular weeks and four weekends of events featuring diverse and creative programming promoting traditional and contemporary arts and culture, natural beauty, and community spirit. The 2014 Festival commemorates the 102nd anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan.
About the Washington Informer
Celebrating its 50th Anniversary of providing news and information to the residents of Metropolitan Washington, the Washington Informer strives to educate, empower and inform. The Informer reaches over 50,000 readers each week through an award-winning print edition and a weekly average of 30,000 visitors to its website. The newspaper also sponsors a City-Wide Spelling Bee, which is in its 32nd year. For more information, please visit http://www.washingtoninformer.com.
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