IWMF Names Nikole Hannah-Jones Recipient of 2019 Gwen Ifill Award
Investigative journalist honored for commitment to newsroom diversity
[WASHINGTON, DC: September 17, 2019] – The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) today announced Nikole Hannah-Jones as the recipient of the 2019 IWMF Gwen Ifill Award. Hannah-Jones, an investigative reporter for The New York Times Magazine covering racial injustice and segregation, was recognized for her outstanding achievement in newsroom mentorship and leadership, as well as a commitment to diversity in journalism.
“Nikole exemplifies that a better, deeper, fairer press relies on a diversity of perspectives,” said Elisa Lees Muñoz, the IWMF’s Executive Director. “It’s a privilege for the IWMF to honor her profound work covering racial injustice, and the inspiration she’s provided to young journalists following in her footsteps.”
Now in its third year, the IWMF’s Gwen Ifill Award honors a remarkable woman journalist of color whose work embodies Ifill’s legacy supporting and uplifting other women in news media. Ifill, who passed away in November 2016, was a friend of the IWMF and trailblazer in the news media industry, particularly for women journalists of color.
“Journalism can be a transformative force for justice and equality, and that is why I am so incredibly honored to be receiving the IWMF’s Gwen Ifill Award,” said Hannah-Jones. “Gwen is a guiding light for me; if not for her sacrifices, I would not be doing the work I am now.” Hannah-Jones continued: “The newsroom continues to be challenging for women journalists of color, but our perspective, our professionalism and our stories are powerfully necessary.”
Hannah-Jones’ impact in journalism spans widely and deeply. She recently spearheaded the 1619 Project for the New York Times Magazine, which observes the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. Hannah-Jones also founded the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, an organization propelling the careers of investigative reporters of color.
“Nikole is a force of nature – one of the most powerful voices for truth and justice I have ever encountered anywhere,” said New York Times Magazine Editor-in-Chief Jake Silverstein. “She’s a brilliant reporter, a rigorous historian, a writer who stirs your heart, and a journalistic impresario who knows how to use her talents to accomplish great things. No one dreams bigger than Nikole, and no one has more courage, genius and determination when it comes time to put words into action.”
Hannah-Jones will be recognized in person during the IWMF’s Courage in Journalism Awards ceremony this fall on October 22nd in in Washington, D.C. Bank of America is the National Presenting Sponsor of the IWMF’s Courage in Journalism Awards for the 14th year in a row.
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About the International Women’s Media Foundation
Founded in 1989, the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) is the only global non-profit organization that offers emergency support, safety training, reporting opportunities and funding avenues offered specifically for female journalists. We are making more women’s bylines possible and work tirelessly to ensure a greater diversity of voices represented in the news industry worldwide. Follow the IWMF on Twitter at @IWMF, on Facebook at @IWMFPage, and Instagram on @TheIWMF.
About Nikole Hannah-Jones
Nikole Hannah-Jones is an award-winning investigative reporter covering segregation and racial injustice for The New York Times Magazine. In 2017, she received a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, known as the Genius Grant, for her work on educational inequality. She has also won a Peabody Award, a Polk, National Magazine Award, and the 2018 John Chancellor distinguished journalism award from Columbia University. In 2016, Nikole cofounded the Ida B. Wells Society for Investigative Reporting, a training and mentorship organization geared towards increasing the numbers of investigative reporters of color.
Media Contact
Charlotte Fox
Director of Communications
cfox@iwmf.org
(202) 567-2615