A pair of BirminghamWatch contributors were big winners at the annual awards luncheon of Alabama Media Professionals.

Solomon Crenshaw Jr. won his third straight Sweepstakes Award during the ceremony at Vulcan Park and Museum, receiving 11 awards for his work in 2024. Five of those awards were first in their categories, five were runners-up and one placed third.

Two of Crenshaw’s efforts for BirminghamWatch earned second-place awards. His story – Good Night, BSC: Alumni and Friends Reunite to Bid Farewell to Their Alma Mater – was entered in the Specialty Articles, Education. His story — BSC Baseball Players Savor Final Bus Ride as Panthers – was runner-up in feature story online publication.

Olivia McMurrey won nine awards in the contest – seven first place, one second place and one third. Two of her winning efforts were for BirminghamWatch.

McMurrey won in the Specialty Articles – Education for her story Birmingham City School’s EPIC Elementary Earns Coveted National Blue Ribbon School Designation a Second Time. She won in the category of in-depth reporting for her coverage of the Birmingham Water Works Board in multiple stories for BirminghamWatch.

First-place award winners advance for consideration in the national competition of AMP’s parent organization, the National Federation of Press Women. National awards will be presented during the NFPW national conference in September.