By: Sylvia Powers
ATLANTA — For veteran journalists Jayne Kennedy and Lewis W. Diuguid, being inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame at the 2026 NABJ Convention represents more than a career achievement. It is recognition from an organization that supported Black journalists as they broke barriers in the media industry.
“Being inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame means everything to me,” Kennedy said. “It is simply fantastic.”
Kennedy made history as a groundbreaking sports broadcaster on CBS’s The NFL Today. But breaking barriers came with challenges.
“There was a constant battle to prove that I was worth it,” Kennedy said. She recalled competing with print journalists who were accustomed to publishing NFL stories on Mondays while she was delivering stories to television audiences on Sundays.
Kennedy said NABJ provided important support during her journey.
“When NABJ stepped up, that was the beginning of seeing who I was and knowing that I could go forward,” she said. “I’ve had members of NABJ as friends and family members throughout the years. So, to be honored this way, it’s everything.”
Fellow Hall of Fame inductee Lewis W. Diuguid spent 39 years with The Kansas City Star, rising to vice president for community resources, serving on the editorial board and writing a column for 30 years.
Diuguid’s NABJ roots stretch back decades. He was a founding member of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists, an NABJ chapter.
“It is an incredible honor to be a part of this induction ceremony,” Diuguid said. “NABJ means a heck of a lot to journalists of color in supporting our work and being advocates for us in this industry.”
For Kennedy and Diuguid, the Hall of Fame honor recognizes not only their individual accomplishments, but also the power of an organization that has helped generations of Black journalists know they belong. “There are times that it’s not been easy,” Diuguid said. “But knowing that NABJ was there made it really beneficial.”
