Celebrating Excellence
The Excelencia Awards celebrate press freedom and the power of diverse voices in America’s newsrooms. This annual gala honors the individuals, corporations and organizations investing in the future of journalism, while raising funds for the scholarships, internships, mentorship programs and hands-on training that give the next generation of journalists the tools to tell stories that matter.
Every year, we bring together the people who are opening doors for the next generation. The scholarships awarded turn today’s students into tomorrow’s journalists.
Funding the Future
Each year, NAHJ provides scholarships to graduate and undergraduate students who plan to work in English and Spanish-language journalism across every platform imaginable. Since the program began in 1988, NAHJ has awarded nearly $2 million in scholarships.
Proceeds from the Excelencia Awards & NextGen Benefit support scholarships, mentorship programs, paid internships, training workshops and other critical resources that empower aspiring journalists to achieve their goals and make a lasting impact in media. This is how we build newsrooms that reflect the communities they serve.
Join us on November 17, 2026, as we celebrate the people and organizations making this vision a reality.
The Awards
The Excelencia Awards recognize excellence across journalism, communications and education, honoring those who champion press freedom, diversity and the next generation. For more information on award nominations and categories, click here.
A Night to Remember
Celebrating Excellence
NAHJ’s Excelencia Awards honor outstanding contributions made by individuals, corporations, and organizations to support the advancement of Hispanic students, professionals, and educators in journalism. The winners are honored during the Excelencia Awards and NextGen Benefit, a gala event to strengthen community connections and raise money for the next generation of Hispanic journalists.
The Excelencia Awards celebrate press freedom and the power of diverse voices in America’s newsrooms. This annual gala honors the individuals, corporations and organizations investing in the future of journalism, while raising funds for the scholarships, internships, mentorship programs and hands-on training that give the next generation of journalists the tools to tell stories that matter.
Every year, we bring together the people who are opening doors for the next generation. The scholarships awarded turn today’s students into tomorrow’s journalists.
About the Awards
NAHJ’s inaugural Excelencia Awards coincided with the organization’s 40th anniversary. In partnership with the California Chicano News Media Association, the joint event focused on Latina leadership, paying tribute to the rich legacy and profound contributions of Latina leaders past and present.
About the Awards
NAHJ’s inaugural Excelencia Awards coincided with the organization’s 40th anniversary. In partnership with the California Chicano News Media Association, the joint event focused on Latina leadership, paying tribute to the rich legacy and profound contributions of Latina leaders past and present.
About the Awards
NAHJ’s inaugural Excelencia Awards coincided with the organization’s 40th anniversary. In partnership with the California Chicano News Media Association, the joint event focused on Latina leadership, paying tribute to the rich legacy and profound contributions of Latina leaders past and present.
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