Recap: 2024 WABJ Special Honors & Scholarship Gala, presented by Wells Fargo
WABJ successfully hosted another sold-out Special Honors & Scholarship Gala on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at the Armour J. Blackburn Center on the campus of Howard University.
The gala is WABJ’s largest annual fundraiser. It supports thousands in scholarships each year for local student journalists and year-round, volunteer-led professional development programming, including the Urban Journalism Workshop for local high school students, which is now in its 38th year.
We presented awards to seven distinguished professionals and one organization for excellence in journalist, communications, newsroom leadership and community service:
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Allison Seymour (Morning co-anchor, WUSA9)
- Legacy Award – Cheryl W. Thompson (Investigative correspondent and senior editor, NPR)
- Excellence in Communications Award – Michael Franklin (Founder of Words Normalize Behavior and executive director of Speechwriters of Color)
- Young Journalist of the Year – Rachel Scott (Senior congressional correspondent, ABC News)
- Dorothy Butler Gilliam Trailblazer Award – Ron Nixon (Vice president of news and head of investigations, enterprise and partnerships, The Associated Press)
- President’s Award – Enid Doggett (Founder and CEO, INSPR Media) and Ryan L. Williams (Digital and special events producer, D.C. Public Library)
- Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award – VoicesDMV
Honorees

WABJ Announces 2025 Special Honors Award Recipients
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Friday, October 10, 2025 PRESS CONTACT: Jai-Leen James info@wabjdc.org Washington Association of Black Journalists Announces 2025 Special Honors Award Recipients The 50th Anniversary Gala will celebrate ten distinguished professionals and award scholarships to local college students on November 8. WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) today announced the recipients of its 2025 Special Honors Awards, recognizing excellence in journalism, communications, and community service. The honorees will be celebrated at the 4th Annual

Eugene Daniels Named 2025 WABJ Legacy Award Recipient
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 Eugene Daniels, co-host of MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” is the 2025 recipient of the WABJ Legacy Award. This award recognizes a Black journalist whose sustained excellence and impactful work has left an indelible mark on the profession. Daniels will be honored at the WABJ 4th Annual Special Honors & Scholarship Gala on Saturday, Nov. 8 at the

Doxie McCoy Named 2025 WABJ President’s Award Recipient
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 Doxie McCoy, public information officer with the Office of the People’s Counsel for the District of Columbia, is the 2025 recipient of the WABJ President’s Award. This award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to journalism, communications, and the community. McCoy, a seasoned communications professional and trailblazer, will be honored at the WABJ 4th Annual

Natalie Wilson Named 2025 WABJ Excellence in Communications Award Recipient
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 Natalie Wilson, co-founder and director of public relations for the Black and Missing Foundation, is the recipient of the 2025 WABJ Excellence in Communications Award. This award recognizes outstanding achievement in communications and public relations by a Black professional in the Washington, D.C. area. Wilson, a dynamic media strategist with over 20 years of experience, will

Jasper Smith Named 2025 WABJ Young Journalist of Excellence Award Recipient
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 Jasper Smith, reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education, is the recipient of the 2025 WABJ Young Journalist of Excellence Award. This award recognizes a Washington D.C. area Black journalist age 35 or under who has produced a distinguished body of work and is committed to the mission of WABJ. Smith will be honored at the

Jonelle Henry Named 2025 Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award Recipient
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 Jonelle Henry, director of the University of Florida CJCxDC Student Immersion Program, is the 2025 recipient of the Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award. This award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their community through journalism, communications, advocacy, and service. Henry, an award-winning advocate with over 20 years of experience, will be honored at

Ron Moten Named 2025 WABJ President’s Award in Honor of Freedom of Expression Recipient
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 Ron Moten, CEO and founder of the Go-Go Museum, is the 2025 recipient of the WABJ President’s Award in Honor of Freedom of Expression. This award recognizes individuals who champion freedom of expression and cultural preservation in the Washington, D.C. area. Moten, a cultural preservationist and community leader, will be honored at the WABJ 4th Annual

John Yearwood Named 2025 Dorothy Butler Gilliam Trailblazer Award Recipient
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 John Yearwood, editorial director for diversity and culture at POLITICO, is the 2025 recipient of the Dorothy Butler Gilliam Trailblazer Award. This award honors individuals who have broken barriers and paved the way for greater diversity and inclusion in journalism. Yearwood, a champion of newsroom diversity and press freedom, will be honored at the WABJ 4th






