Each year the Washington Association of Black Journalists hosts their special honors and scholarship gala, which serves as a time to recognize industry professionals and raise money for the Urban Journalism Workshop, an eight-week program for local high school students.

Shown here, Khorri Atkinson (left) at the 2024 installment of the event, with Allison Seymour; Cherly W. Thompson; Ron Nixon; Enid Doggett, Tonia Wellons; Vann Newkirk; Dr. Sheila Brooks; Rachel Scott and Ryan L. Williams. (Photo courtesy of Washington Association of Black Journalists / Flickr)

By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO

Howard University’s Blackburn Center recently served as the site of the Washington Association of Black Journalists’ (WABJ) third annual Special Honors and Scholarship Gala, held on Dec. 7. The event brought together media professionals, business leaders and community activists and honored Washington, D.C.’s best in communications, journalism and service to the region. 

As WABJ’s largest annual fundraiser, proceeds from the scholarship gala help local students achieve higher education goals. The scholarships support professional development programming for novice journalists.

Khorri Atkinson, 33, president of WABJ and senior labor and employment reporter at Bloomberg Law, emphasized the lofty goals behind the origins of the event. 

“The gala is a key event for WABJ and plays a vital role in recognizing the outstanding achievements of Black journalists and media professionals who have made significant contributions to the industry and our communities,” Atkinson said. 

“The gala also raises funds to support the next generation of talent through scholarships and various programs and help sustain our long-running Urban Journalism Workshop – an eight-week program held in the spring that teaches essential journalism skills to local high school students.” 

During the sold-out gala, which was emceed by Guy Lambert, Fox 5 digital journalist, and Ayesha Rascoe, host of NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday, eight professionals and a community initiative received awards in media and service. 

Dorothy Gilliam, the first Black woman to work at the Washington Post, addresses the crowd gathered for the Washington Association of Black Journalists’ third annual Special Honors and Scholarship Gala. (Photo courtesy of Washington Association of Black Journalists / Flickr)

Those honored included:

Allison Seymour, WUSA9, Lifetime Achievement Award; Vann R. Newkirk II, The Atlantic, Journalist of the Year; Cheryl W. Thompson, NPR, Legacy Award; Rachel Scott, ABC News, Young Journalist of Excellence Award; Michael Franklin, Speechwriters of Color and Words Normalize Behavior, Excellence in Communications Award; Ron Nixon, The Associated Press, Dorothy Butler Gilliam Trailblazer Award; Enid Doggett, INSPR Media, and Ryan L. Williams, DC Public Library, President’s Award; and VoicesDMV, an initiative of the Greater Washington Community Foundation, Dr. Sheila Brooks Community Impact Award. 

WABJ also paid special tribute to Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who attended the festivities, as well as Atkinson, whose term ends on Dec. 31. 

“I am very pleased with the outcome of this year’s gala. The feedback we have received from attendees and sponsors highlights the importance of the work we do. As my final term ends this month, this event was a fitting way to conclude my presidency. I am proud of the impact I have made, and I look forward to supporting the incoming president and his team,” Atkinson said. 

As Americans prepare for the changing of the guard in the White House, Atkinson also shared his thoughts on the future of the free press in the U.S. 

“I think there’s a legitimate concern about the future of the free press in America amid recent trends such as increasing political polarization, book bans and efforts to revise or restrict the teaching of certain aspects of history. These issues can undermine the key principles of a free press and a well-informed citizenry that are fundamental to a healthy democracy,” he said. 

“ I am also worried about the rise of digital misinformation and the evolving attitudes of the public towards media consumption. These issues make it increasingly challenging for reporters to sift through the noise. We have seen how targeted disinformation campaigns affect marginalized communities by sowing division, suppressing voting or misleading the public on critical issues like health and policy,” said Atkinson. “In this context, the importance of the Black press cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in addressing these issues.”

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