WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) announces its selection of six journalists for induction into its Hall of Fame in a ceremony to be held at The Newseum in Washington, DC on January 17, 2013, during Inauguration Week Festivities.
Annually, NABJ pays homage to legendary black journalists who have made outstanding contributions to the industry. Over the last 20 years, NABJ has inducted over 50 distinguished journalists into the association's Hall of Fame.
"These six journalists have had barrier breaking careers which have allowed them to tell compelling stories about everyday acts, ordinary lives, and historic times," said NABJ President Gregory Lee.
The newest members are:
Betty Winston Bayé
For more than 25 years Betty Bayé worked as a reporter, editor, and editorial page writer at The Courier-Journal in Louisville, Kentucky. She was the only African-American editorial writer and columnist on staff.
Simeon Booker
Simeon Booker made history as the first African-American staff reporter at The Washington Post. Booker who began his career at The Afro-American Newspapers would become best known for his incisive coverage of the Civil Rights movement for Jet Magazine.
Alice Dunnigan
In the latter part of her life Alice Dunnigan wrote her autobiography "A Black Woman's Experience: From Schoolhouse to White House." She was a Washington correspondent for The Associated Negro Press where her specializing in politics led her to become the first African-American woman credentialed to cover The White House, the Congress, and the State Department. Dunnigan also famously covered Harry Truman's presidential campaign.
Sue Simmons
Sue Simmons is an iconic anchorwoman whose career took her from New Haven, to Baltimore, to Washington, DC before she headed home to her native New York where she would anchor the evening news at WNBC-TV, NBC's flagship station for 32 years.
Wendell Smith
Wendell Smith began his career as a sportswriter writing for the Pittsburgh Courier. Later his knowledge of baseball led him to be a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and Smith helped convince Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey that Jackie Robinson should be the man to integrate baseball. Later he resumed his journalism career and covered the White Sox for the Chicago Sun-Times. Smith has his own place in history as the first African-American member of BBWAA the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Cynthia Tucker
Cynthia Tucker is a veteran newspaper reporter would go on to become a columnist and editorial page editor for The Atlanta-Journal Constitution. In 2007 she earned the Pulitzer Prize one of journalism's highest honors.
For additional information on the NABJ Hall of Fame visit here.
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.