AWARDS

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NYABJ Awards Gala Press Release

For Immediate Release
November 14, 2019
Information: Awards@NYABJ.org

Sunny Hostin, Michael Harriot, Bevy Smith honored at New York Association of Black Journalists Awards Gala along with 13 others

NEW YORK, NY, November 14, 2019 – The New York Association of Black Journalists
(NYABJ) hosted “The Harlem Renaissance: A Century of Black Journalists Advancing the Movement” and celebrated the best in journalism that honors the coverage of African American and African Diaspora communities, individuals, and issues at an awards gala at Harlem’s historic Alhambra Ballroom.

Three individuals were given special awards for their service and exceptional professional and community engagement.
● Sunny Hostin, of ABC’s “The View,” received the President’s Award, recognizing her outspoken, multiplatform journalism that gives a voice to the voiceless, especially the people of the African American Diaspora, on the most significant political and legal issues of the day.
● Michael Harriot, of the web publication, The Root, received the Trailblazer Award, celebrating his innovations in poetry, podcasting, journalism, and commentary that have helped move the needle for other journalists of color.
● “Bevelations” host Bevy Smith received the Ida B. Wells Award for her courage in trendsetting and following her dream of being an influential pop culture broadcast journalist, unafraid to showcase issues impacting the African American Diaspora.

“These individuals are special, they know the value of how stories connect us,” Julie Walker, president of the New York Association of Black Journalists, said. “They know that the work they do enables us to find commonality, build bridges of
understanding and cultivate empathy and truth. The more we share stories from the African American community and its people, the closer we get to telling stories that reveal the truth and humanity of their experiences.”

Hostin said at a time when she and other journalists are under attack by the White House, the NYABJ President’s Award means so much to her. Especially since it’s coming from an organization that recognizes her efforts to give a voice to some of society’s most vulnerable populations.

“That’s why you see on the show (The View) the presidential candidates that come up, they’ve got to answer those questions about reparations, they’ve got to answer that question about health care for African Americans and they have to answer those questions that are important to our communities and that’s because we’re in the room,” Hostin said.

NYABJ, one of the largest chapters of the National Association of Black Journalists, also recognized the winners of 13 award categories for their coverage centering on the African and African American diaspora.

“We live in a world where there are many voices. This awards program recognizes coverage that seeks to lift every voice and remind local media and platforms of the importance and power of doing so,” said Melanie Eversley, who is the awards chair.

WCBS TV’s Maurice DuBois and CBS News’ Jericka Duncan co-hosted the awards.

The awards benefit NYABJ programs for members, as well as the organization’s First Take, a high school journalism program. NYABJ is a 501(c)(3) organization.

The New York Association of Black Journalists congratulates the winners of this year’s NYABJ Awards Competition.

Online Media – General Feature
Hasani Gittens, The City
20 Years After NYPD Killing of Amadou Diallo, His Mom Asks: What’s Changed?

Online Media – Blog Commentary
Matthew Allen, The Root
Should Black Artists Care About the Grammys?

TV/Online Video – General Feature
Ugonna Okpalaoka, NBC Universal
Jenna Bush Hager Meets The Remarkable Woman Behind ‘Girl Up Initiative Uganda

Print/Online Media – Spot/General News
Natasha Alford, TheGrio.com
Tension, Trauma, and Trust: New pilot program looks to bridge gap between police, civilians

Newspaper/Magazine – General Feature
Malaika Jabali, Current Affairs
The Color of Economic Anxiety

Investigative Journalism
Madison Gray, TheBridgeBK.com
The K2 Corner: Why a Toxic Drug Persists in Brooklyn

Sports Journalism
Doug Doyle, WBGO
SportsJam with Doug Doyle: Boxing Great Andre Ward and “The Contender” Contestant John Thompson IV

Broadcast/Video/Audio – General News
Alexandra Hill, WBGO
Thousands Of Young Men in Newark Attend Pathways To Success Summit

Radio/Online Audio – General Feature
Alexandra Hill, WBGO
Newark Public Schools Expands Girls Who Code Initiative

TV/Online Video – Documentary
Sharon Barnes-Waters, 1010 WINS
Fighting For Her Rightful Place in History: The Claudette Colvin Story

Public Affairs Journalism
Louise Dente, Cultural Caravan TV
A Conversation With Eagle Academy

Photography – Feature
J. Conrad Williams, Newsday
U.S. Open FInal: Serena Williams vs. Naomi Osaka

Excellence in Student Journalism
Ariam Alula, Black Youth Project
No Plan for Daniel

The awards chair is Melanie Eversley, NYABJ secretary.

For information about NYABJ www.nyabj.org

Sunny Hostin at the NYABJ Awards Gala
Bill Allen/Perception Media

Michael Harriot at the NYABJ Awards Gala
Bill Allen/Perception Media

Co-Hosts Maurice DuBois and Jericka Duncan at the NYABJ Awards Gala
Bill Allen/Perception Media

Honorees Bevy Smith and Sunny Hostin at the NYABJ Awards Gala
Bill Allen/Perception Media

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