WABJ’s 5th Annual Special Honors & Scholarship Gala returns to the Embassy of France on Saturday, December 5, 2026.

Last year’s gala celebrated WABJ’s 50th anniversary, platformed Black journalism and raised funds to continue supporting WABJ’s mission.

This year’s special evening will gather over 300 journalists, community leaders, media professionals and supporters to celebrate our honorees’ achievements and raise funds to support our mission.

WABJ will awards two scholarships and present nine awards to distinguished professionals for excellence in journalism, communications, newsroom leadership and community service:

• WABJ Lifetime Achievement Award
• WABJ Legacy Award
• WABJ Journalist of the Year
• WABJ Young Journalist of Excellence Award
• WABJ Excellence in Communications Award
• Dorothy Butler Gilliam Trailblazer Award
• Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award
• President’s Award

Stay turned for more information on tickets, award nominations and more.

We are currently seeking sponsorship partners who share our commitment to support journalism in the DMV. If interested, please review the sponsorship deck below and contact info@wabjdc.org.