FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, October 10, 2025

PRESS CONTACT: Jai-Leen James  info@wabjdc.org

Washington, D.C. — Today, the Washington Association of Black Journalists announced that Michel Martin, host of NPR’s Morning Edition, is the 2025 recipient of the WABJ Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes a distinguished Black journalist whose exceptional career has made significant contributions to the field of journalism and serves as an inspiration to current and future generations.

Martin, an Emmy-winning journalist, will be honored at the WABJ 4th Annual Special Honors & Scholarship Gala on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Embassy of France in Washington, D.C. Tickets for the gala can be purchased here.

Martin’s distinguished career spans NPR, PBS’s Amanpour & Company, ABC News, Nightline, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. In 2019, she was elected into the American Academy of Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievement in journalism. A Harvard Radcliffe College graduate (cum laude), Martin also earned a Master of Arts from Wesley Theological Seminary in 2016.

“It is such an incredible honor to be recognized by my peers in this way,” said Martin. “Thank you for allowing the work itself to speak on my behalf, and for seeing me, even in moments when I’ve felt unseen.”

“WABJ is honored to recognize Michel Martin’s remarkable career and her unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism,” said WABJ President Phil Lewis. “Her voice has informed and inspired millions, and her dedication to telling stories that matter has set a standard for journalists everywhere.”

The awards gala is a fundraiser to support WABJ scholarships, year-round professional development programming, and the organization’s long-running Urban Journalism Workshop for D.C. area high school students, which is now in its 39th year.

WABJ congratulates Martin on this well-deserved honor.

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Founded in 1975, the Washington Association of Black Journalists is an organization of Black journalists, educators, public relations professionals and student journalists in the Washington, D.C., metro area. WABJ provides members with ongoing professional development opportunities and advocates for newsroom diversity, equity and inclusion. For more information, please visit www.wabjdc.org.