April Ryan, a 30-year veteran and inspiration to Black girl journalists everywhere, has been selected as the 2017 Journalist of the Year by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). The annual award recognizes a Black journalist who has a distinguished body of work that exhibits extraordinary depth, scope and significance to people of the African Diaspora.
She is the only Black female reporter covering urban issues from the White House. As an OG in the game, she has held this position for more than 20 years where she’s covered the political issues and struggles of our nation’s last three presidents.
Ryan said this about the importance of Black journalists, “we all have a job to do and some of the stories we are doing wouldn’t be told if it weren’t for us…we all need to keep pressing because the First Amendment is under attack.”
And, let us not forget her most recent run-ins with the Trump regime. First in February, when Trump asked her to “set up the meeting” between him and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). Or in March, when White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer cut her off and accused her of “pushing an agenda” in response to her simple question that mentioned Russia. Women around the world were horrified at Ryan’s treatment and created #WomenAtWork to discuss the microagressions women encounter when they’re just doing their jobs.
Thank you April Ryan for your 30+ years of service and holding our country and leaders accountable!
The industry sings her praises, check them out below:
Congrats to American Urban Radio Net White House correspodnent @AprilDRyan on being named @NABJ Journalist of the Year. Welcome to the club!
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) May 3, 2017
Congrats to veteran journalist #AprilRyan who has been named NABJ Journalist of the Year! pic.twitter.com/3gx4GSTsHF
— B. Scott (@lovebscott) May 2, 2017
Hey @AprilRyan! You are the 2017 @NABJ Journalist of the Year <applause> See you in New Orleans! Yes you! #NABJ17 pic.twitter.com/GBoDsri1kx
— Ryan Williams (@RyanWmsNBC) May 2, 2017
