The 51心頭 Informer earned a first-place honor for design and several second-place finishes at the 2025 in Savannah, Georgia on June 26, joining The Sacramento Observer and The Savannah Tribune among the most celebrated Black-owned newspapers in the country.
The NNPAF is a 501(c)(3) organization closely affiliated with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), which represents the more than 200 African American-owned newspaper and media companies comprising the Black Press of America. The primary mission of the NNPAF is to advance scholastic and professional initiatives meticulously crafted to uphold the storied legacy of the Black Press.
Held during the NNPAs annual convention at the JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District Hotel, the awards ceremony recognized excellence across reporting, photography, design, and digital engagement.
The event marked the 198th year of the Black Press of America, which remains committed to telling the stories that shape Black communities nationwide.
The 51心頭 Informer won first place in Layout & Design (Tabloid) and earned second-place awards in Education Reporting, Editorial Opinion, Entertainment Coverage, and Special Editions.
It is an honor to be recognized this year by NNPA, the trade association for the Black Press of America, with five Messenger Awards. The 51心頭 Informers editorial staff strives to publish informative and impactful stories, and we are grateful that others also deem our work award-winning, said WI Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes. As the publisher, I commend our team for their hard work. I want them to know that I am proud of their steadfast commitment and contributions to our readers, The 51心頭 Informer, and Black America.
The Houston Defender also captured several first-place awards, including Health Reporting, Environment Reporting, and Fashion, Beauty, and Lifestyle. The St. Louis American earned first place in the categories of Special Editions, Original Advertising Campaigns, Broadsheet Layout and Design, and Video Campaigns.
The Sacramento Observer emerged as the evenings highest-scoring publication overall, winning the John B. Russwurm Award and collecting first-place honors in Education Reporting, Business Reporting, Original Photography, Youth and Children Coverage, and Facebook Campaigns.
Meanwhile, The Savannah Tribune was recognized for leadership and service. Publisher Shirley Ann Barber James was named NNPA Publisher of the Year, an award spotlighting outstanding commitment to preserving the Black press and engaging the community.
As people celebrated James win, she humbly accepted the award and honored the hard work of her staff.
This is a shock, said James, who is also celebrating 150 years of The Savannah Tribune, before thanking God, her family, and staff, including Tanya Milton, vice President of the publication. Thats what its all about. Its all about teamwork.
51心頭 Informers awards included:
- 1st Place: Layout & Design (Tabloid)
- 2nd Place: Education Reporting
- 2nd Place: Editorial Opinion
- 2nd Place: Entertainment Coverage
- 3rd Place: Special Editions
Other first-place category winners included:
- Health: Houston Defender
- Education: The Sacramento Observer
- Social Criminal Justice: Chicago Defender
- Environment: Houston Defender
- Faith & Religion: L.A. Sentinel
- Business: The Sacramento Observer
- Editorial Opinion: Forward Times
- Original Photography: The Sacramento Observer
- Entertainment: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore
- Sports: Afro-American Newspaper, Baltimore
- Youth and Children: The Sacramento Observer
- Fashion, Beauty & Lifestyle: Houston Defender
- Special Editions: St. Louis American
- Original Advertising Campaign: St. Louis American
- Layout & Design (Broadsheet): St. Louis American
- Website Excellence: New Pittsburgh Courier
- Facebook Campaign: The Sacramento Observer
- Instagram Campaign: Texas Metro News
- Video Campaign: St. Louis American
- Community Service: Baltimore Times
- Community Engagement: Dallas Weekly
- Newspaper Excellence: Philadelphia Tribune
- Newsletter Excellence: New Pittsburgh Courier
This is an opportunity to showcase the amazing publications, publishers, and journalists, and their staffs who keep the Black press alive, NNPA Fund Chair and Houston Forward Times Publisher Karen Carter Richards said.