Black Press outlets earn top honors at MDDC awards ceremony

By Megan Sayles
AFRO Staff Writer
msayles@afro.com

The Black Press won big at the MDDC Press Association’s annual conference and awards ceremony, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Annapolis, Md., on May 8. The contest honors excellence in journalism across Washington, D.C., Maryland and Delaware.

The AFRO took home 13 awards across categories, including business reporting, page design, advertising campaign, continuing coverage and local column. Staff writer Tashi McQueen won second place for her story celebrating the 45th anniversary of Radio One in the arts and entertainment reporting bracket of Division F. 

McQueen recalled a prophetic comment made by founder Cathy Hughes while preparing the article. 

“When we did the interview, she actually made a comment saying, ‘This must be an award-winning story,’ because of all we were going through to get the interview done,” said McQueen. “Lo and behold, it is an award-winning piece, but also it was just an honor to do the piece—documenting that history, the impact it had and how, through Radio One, she gave so many different Black artists an opportunity and space to create that they wouldn’t have had otherwise.” 

The MDDC Press Association comprises more than 100 news organizations that span print, online-only and broadcast media in Maryland, Delaware and D.C. 

In addition to the AFRO, local Black Press, including The Washington Informer and Baltimore Beat, captured multiple awards at the ceremony. 

Ja’Mon Jackson, photographer with The Washington Informer, won first place in Division E for general news photo. It was Jackson’s first award as a photographer. 

“It feels good to be in a space where you’re recognized for the work that you are documenting in the community,” said Jackson. “The community work is rather critical and to be shown appreciation for that is really awesome and affirming.” 

The Washington Informer also secured accolades in news-driven multimedia storytelling, online blog commentary, editorial, spot news video, general news video and features video.

The Baltimore Beat won 23 awards in its first-ever appearance at the contest. Notably, the nonprofit newspaper was named the 2025 News Organization of the Year and took home Best of Show awards for page design and growth and land use reporting. 

“It feels good because we do a lot of work with not very many resources, which is the theme for most Black journalism,” said Lisa Snowden, CEO and publisher of the Baltimore Beat. “It feels good to know that talent and dedication work, and you don’t always need to have a million dollars to make good journalism.” 

Given the current political and social climate, Snowden said recognition like this motivates her media outlet to persist in spite of the obstacles. 

“Especially now, when there’s so many attacks on journalism and Black voices specifically on top of journalism already not being any easy thing, it’s been really scary,” said Snowden. “It’s nice to get little things like this to keep you going.” 

Below is the full list of the AFRO’s 13 awards from the MDDC Press Association

• Continuing Coverage (Division F)
  • Award: Second Prize
  • Winner: AFRO staff
• Business Reporting (Division F)
  • Award: Second Prize
  • Winner: Victoria Mejicanos
  • Article title: “Bridging the racial financial divide: From credit inequity to sustainable wealth building”
• Environmental Reporting (Division F)
  • Award: First Prize
  • Winner: Megan Sayles
  • Article title: “When the weather and the market turns against you”
• Arts & Entertainment Reporting (Division F)
  • Award: Second Prize
  • Winner: Tashi McQueen
  • Article title: “Urban One celebrates 45 years of media innovation and community impact”
• New Business Concept Wildcard (Division F)
  • Award: First Prize
  • Winners: Lenora Howze, Kevin Peck, and Dana Peck
  • Project: AFRO Black Business Matters “Power Pitch” competition
• Advertising Campaign (Division F)
  • Award: First Prize
  • Winners: Lenora Howze and Diane Hocker
  • Project: United Way of Central Maryland and the AFRO
• News-Driven Special Edition (Division F)
  • Award: First Prize
  • Winner: AFRO Staff
  • Project: Beyond the Byline: Women who built the Black Press
• Page One Design (Division F)
  • Award: First Prize
  • Winner: Matthew McDonald
  • Project: National Veterans and Military Families Month edition
• News Page Design (Division F)
  • Award: Second Prize
  • Winner: Matthew McDonald
  • Project: “Beyond the byline: Women who built the Black Press”

• Online Blog Commentary (Division F)
  • Award: Second Prize
  • Winner: Chrissy Thornton
  • Article title: “The power of giving: Proof that generosity can’t be confined” 
• Local Column: Critical Thinking (Division F)
  • Award: First Prize
  • Winner: Toni Draper (Publisher)
  • Article title: “It’s hard to admit it, but I was wrong about democracy”
• Local Column: Critical Thinking (Division F)
  • Award: Second Prize
  • Winner: Alexis Taylor
  • Article title: “Pride and sacrifice: The family side of duty” 
• Headline (Division F)
  • Award: First Prize
  • Winner: Ashley Fields
  • Headline: “Meet Isaac Meyers, the man who sealed the gaps in opportunity for maritime workers”

The post Black Press outlets earn top honors at MDDC awards ceremony appeared first on AFRO American Newspapers.