Honoring Black Press Excellence: Inside the 2025 NNPA Messenger Awards in Savannah
The Messenger Awards shine a powerful spotlight on the impactful work of NNPA member publishers across the nation. These trailblazers use storytelling not just to report the news, but to uplift communities, inspire justice, and preserve the proud legacy of Black media.
This year’s theme, “Elevate: Celebrating the Black Press – 198 Years and Counting Toward 200 Years of Excellence,” set the tone for a night that honored both legacy and progress. From the elegant ballroom at the JW Marriott’s River Landing, more than two dozen awards recognized the best in health reporting, education coverage, photography, business journalism, and digital storytelling.
The Observer emerged as the evening’s top honoree, earning the prestigious John B. Russwurm Pinnacle Award for its consistently high-caliber reporting and deep community engagement. Named for the pioneering publisher of Freedom’s Journal, the award reflects the enduring spirit of independent Black media.
While many publications were celebrated, the most poignant moment came with the presentation of the Publisher of the Year Award. Shirley Ann Barber James, publisher of the Savannah Tribune, received a standing ovation as she was recognized for her decades-long commitment to journalistic excellence and community advocacy. Her leadership, colleagues noted, has been instrumental in preserving the voice of the Black Press in Savannah and beyond.
“This is more than an awards show,” said Karen Carter Richards, Chair of the NNPA Fund and publisher of the Forward Times. “It’s a celebration of our resilience, a spotlight on our excellence, and a recommitment to the mission of the Black Press.”
The night also underscored the importance of supporting the next generation of storytellers. Through partnerships with the Google News Initiative, Comerica Bank, and H-E-B, the NNPA Fund awarded scholarships to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities and pursuing careers in multimedia journalism.
Sponsors for this year’s ceremony included Google, Comerica Bank, H-E-B, JW Marriott Savannah, and Exclusive Engravings, a Black and veteran-owned business responsible for crafting the evening’s custom awards.
The full event is available for replay online, inviting audiences everywhere to share in the celebration of Black Press excellence.
Scholarships That Shape the Future
More than just an awards show, the Messenger Awards serve as a fundraising vehicle to support scholarships that empower the next generation of Black journalists and communicators. With the rising cost of higher education, the NNPA Fund is committed to ensuring that students especially those attending HBCUs, have access to the resources they need to succeed. Every sponsorship dollar helps fuel this vital mission by investing in both excellence and opportunity.