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

VoicesDMV to Receive Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award
The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is thrilled to announce that VoicesDMV, an initiative of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, has been selected as the 2024 recipient of the Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award. This award recognizes the community engagement initiative’s commitment to amplifying the voices and needs of underrepresented communities across the D.C. metropolitan area. The WABJ Executive Board presents this award to a local business leader or organization that demonstrates outstanding dedication to community service in

Enid Doggett, Ryan L. Williams Named Recipients of 2024 WABJ President’s Award
The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is thrilled to announce that Enid Doggett, CEO and founder of INSPR Media, and Ryan L. Williams, digital and events producer at DC Public Library, have been selected as the 2024 WABJ President’s Award recipients. The WABJ president presents this award annually to recognize members for their stellar and visionary contributions to the organization’s growth and reach in the D.C. area. Doggett and Williams will be honored at the 3rd annual WABJ Special

Ron Nixon to Receive Dorothy Butler Gilliam Trailblazer Award
Washington, D.C. – The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is proud to announce that Ron Nixon, vice president of news and head of investigations, enterprise, partnerships and grants at The Associated Press, is the 2024 recipient of the Dorothy Butler Gilliam Trailblazer Award. The WABJ Executive Board presents this award to a D.C. area newsroom manager or editor for their trailblazing careers and exemplary editorial leadership skills. Nixon will be honored at the 3rd annual WABJ Special Honors &

Rachel Scott to Receive 2024 WABJ Young Journalist of Excellence Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, Aug. 16, 2024 PRESS CONTACT: Kenrick Thomas info@wabjdc.org Washington, D.C. – The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is excited to announce that Rachel Scott, a senior congressional correspondent for ABC News, will receive the 2024 WABJ Young Journalist of Excellence Award. This award honors a Washington, D.C.area Black journalist under 35 who has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to the principles of journalism and displayed a commitment to the mission of WABJ. Scott will be

Michael Franklin Named Recipient of 2024 WABJ Excellence In Communications Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Thursday, August 15, 2024 PRESS CONTACT: Kenrick Thomas info@wabjdc.org Washington, D.C. – The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is pleased to announce that Michael Franklin, Founder and Chief Thought Leadership Officer of Words Normalize Behavior LLC, will receive the 2024 WABJ Excellence in Communications Award. This prestigious award recognizes Franklin’s trailblazing contributions to the field, innovative initiatives, and unwavering commitment to amplifying diverse voices. Franklin will be honored at the 3rd annual WABJ Special

Cheryl W. Thompson to Receive 2024 WABJ Legacy Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024 PRESS CONTACT: Kenrick Thomas info@wabjdc.org Washington, D.C. – The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is excited to announce that Cheryl W. Thompson, an investigative correspondent and senior editor for member stations at NPR, will receive the 2024 WABJ Legacy Award. This award recognizes a current or retired journalist or journalism educator in the Washington, D.C. area who has broken barriers and/or provided distinguished leadership in increasing access and opportunities to people

Vann R. Newkirk II Named 2024 WABJ Journalist of the Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 13, 2024 PRESS CONTACT: Kenrick Thomas info@wabjdc.org Washington, D.C. – The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) announced that Vann R. Newkirk II, senior editor, The Atlantic and the host of the podcasts Floodlines and Holy Week, has been selected as the 2024 WABJ Journalist of the Year. This award recognizes a Washington, D.C. area Black journalist for their outstanding accomplishments and distinguished body of work produced over the past year with extraordinary depth

Allison Seymour Named 2024 WABJ Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, August 12, 2024 PRESS CONTACT: Kenrick Thomas info@wabjdc.org Washington, D.C. – Today, the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) proudly announced that Allison Seymour, morning co-anchor for WUSA9, is the 2024 recipient of the WABJ Lifetime Achievement Award. This award honors journalists with over 15 years of experience who have significantly contributed to the enrichment and advancement of Black life and culture in Washington, D.C. Seymour will be recognized at the WABJ Special Honors & Scholarship