By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com

The AFRO won big at the Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia (MDDC) Press Association Awards on May 9.

Team AFRO dominated in four categories and received 26 awards overall, adding to the rich history and accolades the media company has already acquired over the years.

The AFRO secured 26 awards at the 2024 Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia Press Association Awards, dominating in four categories. Shown here: Craig Talley (left), AFRO’s media sales consultant; Alexis Taylor, AFRO managing editor; Diane Hocker, AFRO director of community and public relations; Ericka Alston Buck, AFRO freelancer; Andre’ Draper, AFRO Director of Operations; Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, publisher and CEO of AFRO News; Tashi McQueen, AFRO staff writer and James Fields, AFRO photographer. Photo Credit: AFRO Photo / Ericka Alston Buck

“Receiving more than 20 awards from MDDC this year is a humbling and affirming moment for the AFRO,” said Dr. Frances “Toni” Draper, publisher and CEO of AFRO News, at the award ceremony in Annapolis, Md. “It reflects not only the excellence of our editorial team but also our deep and enduring commitment to truth-telling, community-centered journalism and holding power accountable.”

“To dominate in multiple categories—general news, critical thinking, editorial and profile–shows how far we’ve come in evolving our storytelling, while staying rooted in our mission that began nearly 133 years ago,” said Draper. “The continued success of Black press institutions like the AFRO speaks volumes about our resilience and relevance at a time when many journalists face increased restrictions and pressures—especially under the policies of the current 47th presidential administration—the Black press remains a vital lifeline for truth, justice and informed citizenship.”

Throughout the first 100 days in office, the 47th presidential administration has toed the line of limiting certain news organizations’ ability to cover federal matters and has rolled back federal equity, diversity and inclusion efforts, causing a mass exodus from many “DEI” and “Black” initiatives. 

Black America has already begun to see the erasure and alterations of Black history under this administration, but Black press organizations like the AFRO persist and continue to flourish.

“We have always served our communities in times of challenge and change, and we will continue to do so with boldness, integrity and unwavering resolve,” said Draper.

James Fields, AFRO photographer, won first place for his photo of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. 

“When I started taking pictures, I never thought I’d be recognized for something like this,” said Fields, who received recognition for his images of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. “Going down to the bridge– when you see it in person– it’s even more devastating. It was chilling.”

He said he was able to board a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, which brought him close to the wreckage and allowed him to take this award-winning shot.

Fields said compliments poured in from his fellow photographers when the image was published.

“It makes your heart feel good to hear from your peers that your work is good,” said Fields.

Alongside AFRO reporters, several African-American journalists throughout the DMV area were recognized for their wins at the 2024 MDDC awards.

“Every year, the MDDC is an opportunity to celebrate the hard work it takes to do what we do every day as journalists,” said Micha Green, managing editor of the Washington Informer, who won first place for her editorial “No Excuse for Having No Empathy” alongside several other awards. “Annually, I look forward to it, just to see all of the amazing work happening across Maryland, Delaware and Washington D.C.”

Green particularly spoke of the heightened importance of recognizing the work of Black journalists in today’s society.

“Journalism is not as appreciated as it should be on a global scale,” said Green. 

But despite that, Green pressed that “no matter which way you slice it, you cannot erase the Black community, the Black stories or the Black storytellers.”

“We’ve been doing it in the Black Press for 198 years and we will be doing it another 198 and beyond because our stories remain critical to the American narrative,” said Green.

The MDDC Awards divides media companies into divisions based on company size. The AFRO competes in Division F, however, the first and second place winners of each division are all considered for the “Best of Show” award. 

AFRO Managing Editor Alexis Taylor, who won Best of Show for Editorial and Blog Video, said she was “proud of how the AFRO editorial team and all of the hard work put in by all of the AFRO team members.”

“AFRO reporters are known for amplifying Black voices and Black issues. When I look at the individual articles recognized by the MDDC Press Association, it lets me know that we are still operating in the spirit of the AFRO founders,” said Taylor. “From Black maternal health to election coverage and criminal justice reform, we are still leaning into tough issues. Nearly two centuries after the founding of the Black Press, we are still more than capable of ‘pleading our own cause.’”

See the full list of awards won by AFRO team members below: