By Ashleigh Fields
AFRO Assistant Editor
afields@afro.com
Veteran communication professionals imparted wisdom on reporters young and old at the Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) Scholarship Gala on Dec. 2. A deserving group of seven individuals were honored for their strides toward inclusivity and equality in news gathering for members of the media across the nation.
“ Each of you has been granted both the privilege and the opportunity to make a difference, to help forge new paths, to be more open at and around the table; to make your own footprints and to leave a few for someone else to follow,” said lifetime achievement awardee Pat Lawson, of NBC4 Washington.
Lawson, a graduate of Howard University, wisely quoted the words of Booker T. Washington, saying that “Success always leaves footprints.”
“ Each of you has been granted both the privilege and the opportunity to make a difference, to help forge new paths, to be more open at and around the table; to make your own footprints and to leave a few for someone else to follow.”
The trailblazing honorees each rose to the podium, sharing similar sentiments and their own testimonies as it relates to opening more doors for the Black press. Erica Loewe, special advisor to President Joe Biden, earned the Excellence in Communications Award. She spoke of her consequential journey from Jan. 6 in the nation’s capital to serving as the former director of African American Media for the 46th president of the United States.
Loewe shared what it was like to work for U.S. Rep. Jim E. Clyburn (D-SC-6) during peak pandemonium as emboldened citizens tried to overturn the government.
“I often think to myself how incredible it was to be working for the highest ranking Black man in Congress at the time– a man who has dedicated his life to civil rights– as I pushed a table against the office door to keep out hate fueled insurrectionists,” said Loewe.
Loewe said that her work is not done and welcomed Gerren Gaynor of the Grio as her guest to the event, hoping to show that more collaboration is needed by members of the Black Press.
“I’m trying to do that by seeking out conversations with a more diverse array of people who viewers won’t see or hear from anywhere else,” said Kristen Welker, a shining example of what can occur when Black journalists are given the opportunity to moderate and mold thought provoking discussions on a nationally syndicated show.
Welker, the first Black host of NBC’s Meet the Press and second female anchor was named Journalist of the Year for her groundbreaking work. Welker was recognized and applauded by National Association of Black Journalists co-founders Sam Ford, Allison Davis and Joe Davidson who were in attendance.
Over 300 journalism patrons gathered inside of the Blackburn Ballroom on the campus of Howard University for the event, looking to celebrate Black journalists and raise funds to encourage diverse talent in newsrooms across the country. DC News Now’s Anna-Lysa Gayle and WUSA9’s Lorenzo Hall served as emcees.
Ticket purchases benefitted the Urban Journalism Workshop, where numerous attendees got their start in the media industry. Hall is an alumnus of WABJ’s annual Urban Journalism Workshop for DC area high school students, which is now in its 37th year.
The community fueled program has been steadily poured into by Washington Informer Publisher, Denise Rolark Barnes for which she was bestowed the prestigious President’s Award.
“The WABJ Executive Board appreciates Ms. Rolark Barnes’ contributions and her unwavering dedication to journalistic excellence and advocacy for the D.C. Black community,” said WABJ president Khorri Atkinson.
The night ended with two students being presented the inaugural Paul Brock Journalism Scholarship and the WABJ Investigative Journalism Scholarship, in addition to a large pledge to help continue the organization’s efforts. W. Imara Canady, national director of community engagement and communications at AIDS Healthcare Foundation, committed $7,000 to support WABJ scholarships and the UJW program.
Additional honorees included Legacy Award winner, Sonya Ross, and Phil Lewis, who earned the “Young Journalist of Excellence Award.” The Dorothy Butler Gilliam Trailblazer Award was earned by Krissah Thompson and Street Sense Media won the Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award.
