2026 WABJ Special Honors Nominations Form

2026 WABJ Special Honors Awards

The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) is accepting nominations for its 2026 Special Honors Gala, an annual program that celebrates and recognizes excellence in journalism, communications, newsroom leadership, and community service. All nominations must be submitted by October 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
AWARDS CATEGORIES

WABJ Lifetime Achievement Award

Award for a Black journalist with a minimum of 15 years in the industry. Nominees for this category may be living or deceased. They must have or still be making an extraordinary contribution to the enrichment, understanding, or advancement of Black life and culture in the Washington, D.C. area. Nominations must include the nominee's work, and each entry must include a nomination statement outlining reasons for the nomination.

WABJ Legacy Award

Award for a Black journalist or journalism educator in the Washington, D.C. area who has broken barriers and/or provided distinguished leadership in increasing access and opportunities to people of color in journalism. Nominees may be living or deceased. Nominations must include the nominee's work, and each entry must include a nomination statement outlining reasons for the nomination.

WABJ Journalist Of The Year

It is awarded to a Washington, D.C. area Black journalist who has produced a distinguished body of work published or aired in the previous year with extraordinary in-depth scope or significance to people in the African diaspora. Nominations must include the nominee's work, and each entry must include a nomination statement outlining reasons for the nomination.

WABJ Young Journalist of Excellence Award

It’s awarded to a Washington, D.C. area Black journalist age 35 or under who has produced a distinguished body of work and is committed to WABJ’s mission. Nominations must include the nominee's work, and each entry must include a statement outlining the reasons for the nomination.

WABJ Excellence in Communications Award

Awarded to a Washington, D.C. area Black communications professional who is a trailblazer and has done significant work over the years and crafted campaigns that have had a positive and empowering impact on the Black community. Nominations must include the nominee's work, and each entry must include a statement outlining the reasons for the nomination.
Nominator (must be a paid member of WABJ)

First NameLast Name
Nominator's Email
example@example.com
Mobile Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Name of your organization
Which award are you nominating for?
Name of Nominee (does not have to be a member)
Nominee's Email
example@example.com
Nominee's Phone Number

Area CodePhone Number
Nominee's Organization
Nomination Statement (300 words max. Each submission MUST include links to three of the nominee's best work.)
Three links to the nominee's work
Should be Empty:

2026 WABJ Special Honors Awards