By: Sylvia Powers
ATLANTA — The 2026 National Association of Black Journalists Convention closed with its Salute to Excellence Awards Gala, celebrating the achievements, sacrifices and perseverance of Black journalists.
NABJ President Errin Haines reminded attendees of the importance of taking time to recognize their accomplishments.
“Because in a profession that can be relentless, we do not always stop long enough to recognize our excellence,” Haines said. “Tonight, we stop to say this work matters. Black journalists deserve to be celebrated for the excellence that we bring to this profession every single day.”
Among the evening’s top honorees was Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Brent Staples, a longtime member of The New York Times editorial board, who received the Chuck Stone Lifetime Achievement Award.
Staples reflected on Stone’s legacy of confronting racism and challenging traditional media.
“Chuck was operating under the point of view that racism was a fact of American life,” Staples said.
Drawing on the teachings of civil rights lawyer and scholar Derrick Bell, Staples said the struggle against racism requires perseverance.
“Our role is not to give up. It is to persevere and fight that struggle and live full lives in spite of it,” Staples said. “It’s a legacy that Chuck left behind, and I, for one, am up for the fight.”
Beatrice Elizabeth Peterson, National Enterprise Reporter for ABC News, was honored as NABJ’s 2026Journalist of the Year. Peterson reflected on the personal sacrifices journalists often make to pursue their careers.
“You guys know the sacrifice, from missed birthdays to graduations to cookouts,” Peterson said, drawing laughter when she added, “If someone loves you just enough, they’ll save you a plate. Foil and all. I missed a lot of cookouts to get this one.”
Peterson also recognized the many people behind the scenes who make journalism possible.
“This award may carry one name, but journalism is never one person’s work,” she said. “I showed up early. I stayed late. I heard no. I kept going. I took the long way, but it still got me here, and the work continues.” The gala provided a fitting conclusion to NABJ 2026—celebrating not only awards and accomplishments, but the resilience, determination and excellence of Black journalists.
