AWC 2006 Annual Professional Conference, September 14-16, 2006 Kansas City, MO
The Heart of It All
Lewis W. Diuguid
Lewis W. Diuguid
Vice President, Community Resources
The Kansas City Star
Panelist, Freedom of Information/Ethics Panel
Lewis W. Diuguid is vice president for community resources at The Kansas City Star. He serves on the editorial board, writes a column for the opinion section and is responsible for The Star's philanthropic efforts in the community. Since 1995 he has co-chaired the diversity initiative at The Star and since 1993 has trained Star Co. staff in diversity workshops.
Diuguid joined the staff of The Kansas City Star-Times in May 1977 after graduating from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism. He has worked as a reporter, photographer, copy editor, automotive editor, assistant bureau chief, bureau chief, assistant city editor, associate editor and columnist. He has written a column for The Star since 1987.
Diuguid is the author of the 2004 award-winning book, A Teacher’s Cry: Expose the Truth About Education Today. The book offers ways to improve public schools, particularly in urban areas. “A Teacher’s Cry” is rooted in his studies with the Class of 1999 from the students’ freshman year until graduation at Washington High School in Kansas City, KS. He wrote about 100 columns for The Star chronicling what it’s like to be a teenager and teacher today.
Diuguid is a founding member, treasurer, newsletter editor and Media Awards Committee chairman of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists. He is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists, a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists, a member of the Monroe Trotter Group of Black Voices in Commentary and serves on the board of directors of the University of Missouri Alumni Association. He is a certified diversity facilitator with the Newspaper Association of America. He has received several awards, including the 2000 Missouri Honor Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism.
Diuguid, who was born and reared in St. Louis, has two adult children, Adrianne and Leslie.