WASHINGTON, DC (December 30, 2011) -The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) will induct five legendary journalists into its Hall of Fame, the organization’s highest honor. Also to be presented is the Ida B. Wells Award, an annual honor highlighting the achievement of a media executive who has demonstrated a commitment to diversifying the nation’s newsrooms and improving the coverage of people and communities of color. The ceremony will be held on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at the Newseum in downtown Washington, D.C. Proceeds from the gala benefit fellowship programs.
Annually, NABJ pays homage to legendary black journalists who have made outstanding contributions to the industry. Over the last 20 years, NABJ has inducted more than 45 journalists into the esteemed Hall of Fame, including W.E.B DuBois, John H. Johnson, Ed Bradley and Carole Simpson.
“These giants in journalism have blazed trails so that black journalists today can have more freedom and professional opportunities,” said NABJ President Gregory Lee Jr. “We are proud to salute these worthy honorees.”
This year’s honors will be hosted by Suzanne Malveaux, anchor for the 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. edition of CNN Newsroom. Malveaux worked in CNN’s White House unit for nearly a decade and has played a key role as a member of the network’s Best Political Team on Television and as the primary substitute anchor for “The Situation Room” with Wolf Blitzer.
Attendees will have access to the 250,000 square foot museum of news. The Newseum features seven levels of galleries, theaters, retail spaces and visitor services. It offers a unique environment that takes attendees behind the scenes to experience how and why news is made.
2012 NABJ Hall of Fame Inductees:
GWEN IFILL- PBS
GwenIfillIfill is moderator and managing editor of “Washington Week” and senior correspondent for the “PBS NewsHour.” She also is the best-selling author of “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.”
Ifill reports on a wide range of issues from foreign affairs to U.S. politics and policies interviewing national and international newsmakers. She has covered six presidential campaigns and moderated two vice presidential debates.
PAT HARVEY- KCBS Los Angeles
PatHarveyHarvey is an award-winning veteran broadcast journalist and the longest-running anchor in prime time at one station in Los Angeles.
One of Harvey’s 16 Emmy award wins was for a multiple report on basketball great Earvin “Magic” Johnson a decade after he was diagnosed with HIV. In 2001, Harvey also took home an Emmy for a series of reports from East Africa on the AIDS epidemic and the brutal centuries-old practice of female genital mutilation.
RUTH ALLEN OLLISON- KXAS/KDAF Dallas, KHOU Houston
OllisonOllison made history by becoming the first African American Female News Director in a top 10 Market when she was promoted to the position in Dallas in 1985 at KDAF Television.
Ollison has dedicated much of her professional career to radio and television, showing renowned strengths in news reporting, anchoring and management. Her expertise as a dynamic news executive enhanced many markets including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Washington D.C.
After two decades in the broadcasting industry, Ollison sought to transform the conditions that she had covered for so long as a journalist. She landed in inner-city Houston, where she bought a crack house in one of the most notorious areas of the city and started a ministry. Still very much in the business of communication, Ollison uses her years of experience delivering the news of the day to deliver some good news.
JOHNATHAN RODGERS- TV One
JohnathanRodgersAfter close to 50 years of service in the media business, TV One President and CEO Johnathan Rodgers retired in June.
Rodgers is among the nation’s most influential television executives. He served as the highest-ranking black executive a television network from 1990 to 1996, expanding the Discovery Network into a multibillion-dollar success in the cable industry. In 2003, he helped launch TV One.
Under his leadership, TV One, which serves nearly 53 million adults, has become recognized as the quality programming alternative for African-Americans
WALLACE TERRY- TIME Magazine
TerryWallaceIn 1967, Terry became deputy bureau chief for Time magazine in Saigon. His two years of Vietnam War reporting included coverage of the Tet offensive and scores of combat missions with American and South Vietnamese pilots. In addition to writing for USA TODAY and Parade magazine, Terry was an award-winning author, producer and public speaker. He died on May 29, 2003.
Ida B. Wells Award Recipient:
MICHAEL FIELDS- WABE Atlanta
Michael FieldsFields is News Director at WABE 90.1 FM in Atlanta and has worked 35 years in commercial and public broadcasting, including 20 years with NPR where he served as Southern Bureau chief and worked with member stations in 13 states.
Fields is being recognized for his efforts which have resulted in WABE news coverage which is a more accurate reflection of the diverse communities that the public broadcasting station in Atlanta serves.
For ticket sales and sponsorship information, and additional information on the NABJ Hall of Fame, please click here, or contact NABJ Program Manager Irving Washington at [email protected].
An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C. NABJ is the largest organization of journalists of color in the nation and provides educational, career development and support to black journalists worldwide.