Black Journalism Day at the Capitol Honors 27 Black Journalists During NABJ Convention Weekend
- The Media Girls
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
ATLANTA, GA — As thousands of journalists and media professionals descended upon Atlanta for the 2026 National Association of Black Journalists Convention, a special celebration at the Georgia State Capitol ensured that the achievements, impact and legacy of Black journalists were recognized beyond the convention walls.
On Friday, August 14, Black Journalism Day at the Capitol brought together journalists, media executives, students, elected officials and supporters to celebrate 27 Black journalists and media professionals whose work continues to shape the stories, conversations and communities they serve.
The event was held in conjunction with NABJ Convention Week, which took place in Atlanta August 12–16. Social posts surrounding the celebration described the honorees as the “2026 Class of Black Journalists & Media Pros of Excellence.” (Instagram)
For Media Girls Network, the celebration represented more than an awards ceremony. It was an opportunity to intentionally give Black journalists their flowers while creating a space where multiple generations of media professionals could connect, celebrate and see the significance of their work acknowledged within Georgia's political center.
Celebrating Black Excellence at the Capitol
The room reflected the very community Black Journalism Day was created to celebrate.
Members of CAU NABJ joined working journalists, media professionals, colleagues, community leaders and state officials for an afternoon centered on recognition, fellowship and the continued importance of Black voices in media.
From television anchors and producers to digital journalists, sports reporters, radio personalities, photojournalists and professors, the 2026 class represented the many different ways Black journalists are informing and influencing today's media landscape.
The event was powered through the collaborative efforts of Georgia State Representative Miriam Paris of District 142, the Honorable Erica Thomas, Media Girls Network, the NABJ Digital Journalism Task Force and NBC 41's Tyrik Wynn, bringing together government, professional media organizations and independent media communities for a shared purpose.
Attendees and honorees continued sharing their experiences from the celebration online in the days following the event, highlighting the importance of recognizing Black journalists at the Georgia Capitol.
Photo Credit: StillPJ
Meet the 2026 Black Journalism Day Honorees
This year's class included 27 journalists and media professionals representing television, radio, digital media, sports, education and independent journalism:
Kelsey Nicole Nelson — Award-Winning FOX Sports Anchor
Alexander Ford — Senior Editor of Pop Culture, iOne Digital
Moran McCall — Radio Personality, DJ & Podcast Host, HOT 107.9
Tonia Michele Brown Davis — Meteorologist
Marissa Mitchell — News Anchor
Summer Jackson — News Anchor
Alexis Wainwright — News Anchor
Jalisa Jones — Journalist & Professor
Maui Bigelow — Digital Journalist
Ryan J. Dennis — CBS Producer
Shanique Yates — Digital Journalist
Nicole Curtis — Good Morning America Producer
Bianca Harris — Photojournalist & President, Tulsa Chapter
Brienna Rose — WSB Traffic Reporter
Brandolyn Hellams — FOX 5 Atlanta
Autumn Johnson — Sports Journalist
Dani Canada — BOSSIP
Ashley Jones — WPBF Channel 25 News
Erin Rae — V-103
Tony Betton Jr. — Journalist
Wilton C. Jackson II — Sports Analyst
Tierra Smith — Black Enterprise
Corey Howard — WJCL News
Kamille Whittaker — Canopy Atlanta
Karyn Greer — WSB-TV
Deidra Dukes — FOX 5
Christine Sperow — FOX 5 News Anchor
The honoree class illustrated just how expansive Black journalism has become. It included professionals working in legacy broadcast news alongside journalists building audiences through digital platforms, sports coverage, radio and community-centered storytelling.
Giving Black Journalists Their Flowers
There is something particularly significant about honoring Black journalists during NABJ Convention Week.
For generations, Black journalists have been tasked with telling stories that may otherwise have gone untold while simultaneously navigating an industry where representation, leadership opportunities and equitable resources have not always been guaranteed.
Black Journalism Day created a moment to say: we see you, we value your work and your contributions deserve to be documented and celebrated.
The significance was heightened by the setting. Gathering at the Capitol transformed the recognition from an industry celebration into a public acknowledgment of the role journalism plays in informing communities, preserving history and holding institutions accountable.
It also created an important bridge between those already established in the industry and those preparing to enter it.
With CAU NABJ students present alongside veteran anchors, producers, reporters and digital journalists, emerging media professionals were able to witness what longevity and excellence in journalism can look like.
That visibility matters.
Community Beyond the Convention
NABJ Convention Week has long represented professional development, networking and community for Black journalists. Black Journalism Day at the Capitol expanded that spirit into another Atlanta institution, creating an additional space for journalists to connect with one another while being celebrated by their peers and public officials.
For Media Girls Network, that mission aligns directly with the organization's commitment to creating resources, access, recognition and community for professionals navigating an ever-changing media industry.
Journalism continues to evolve. Newsrooms are changing. Digital media continues to disrupt traditional models. Independent journalists are creating their own platforms, while social media has transformed how audiences discover and consume news.
But through every shift, one thing remains constant: Black journalists must continue to have spaces where they can find community, opportunity and recognition.
Black Journalism Day at the Capitol was one of those spaces.
A New Tradition of Recognition
The inaugural celebration demonstrated what can happen when government leaders, established media institutions, independent media organizations, journalists and the next generation come together with intention.
Twenty-seven professionals walked away recognized as part of the 2026 Class of Black Journalists & Media Pros of Excellence, but the larger message extended far beyond those honored.
It was a celebration of every Black journalist who has entered a newsroom and understood the responsibility that comes with telling our stories.
It was for the producers behind the scenes.
The anchors delivering breaking news.
The reporters asking difficult questions.
The photographers documenting history.
The digital journalists creating new lanes.
The professors preparing the next generation.
And the students who are still dreaming about where their journalism careers might take them.
During a week when the nation's Black journalism community gathered in Atlanta, Black Journalism Day at the Capitol offered another reminder of the power of that community.
Our stories matter. Our voices matter. And the people committed to telling those stories deserve to be celebrated.
Media Girls Network congratulates the entire 2026 Black Journalism Day at the Capitol honoree class and thanks the partners, elected officials, journalists, students and media professionals who helped make this historic celebration possible.
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