September 11, 2026 – The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 Excelencia Awards, honoring journalists, educators, leaders and organizations whose work reflects excellence, service and a lasting commitment to advancing Latinos in journalism.
This year’s honorees are Manny Fernandez (National Journalist of the Year), Gian Marco Velazquez (National Student Journalist of the Year), Knight Foundation (Corporate Impact Award), José Alberto Suárez (Ñ Legacy Award, In Memoriam), Carolina Cruz (Spirit of NAHJ Award), Graciela Mochkofsky (National Academic of the Year) and Mónica Rhor (Lifetime Achievement Award).
The 2026 Excelencia Awards ceremony will take place at ABC News Headquarters in New York City on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026.
The Excelencia Awards is also NAHJ’s premier fundraising event that supports our NextGen Initiatives that includes scholarships, internships, mentorship and leadership development programs that help build pathways for the next generation of Latino journalists.
“Every ticket to the NAHJ Excelencia Awards goes directly to support the next generation of Latino journalists through scholarships, mentorship and year-round training programs,” said NAHJ Executive Director Yaneth Guillén-Díaz. “It’s inspiring to see, at an event like this, the kind of leaders these young people can become.”
NAHJ’s NextGen initiatives include the Student Project, an intensive newsroom training program that pairs student journalists with professional mentors during NAHJ’s annual conference. Its alumni have gone on to work across leading newsrooms nationwide. To purchase tickets to the event, click here.
Alongside the Excelencia honors, NAHJ President Dunia Elvir will present President’s Awards to three journalists whose exceptional leadership and dedication have advanced Hispanic journalism.
National Journalist of the Year: Manny Fernandez
For more than two decades at The New York Times, Manny Fernandez has distinguished himself as both an exceptional journalist and a dedicated mentor to Latino reporters. His yearslong investigation into César Chávez demonstrated his commitment to difficult, nuanced truth-telling, while his workshops, writing guidance and mentorship have helped generations of journalists strengthen their craft and find their place in the industry.
National Student Journalist of the Year: Gian Marco Velásquez
Gian Marco Velásquez has already demonstrated a genuine passion for journalism, along with a strong commitment to representation and serving Latino communities. As president of USC’s NAHJ chapter and the Wall Street Journal’s inaugural NAHJ student intern, he has championed Latino voices, pursued stories that matter to immigrant communities and helped launch the Journal’s first ever Spanish language content.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mónica Rhor
Mónica Rhor helped lead the Latino Reporter student projects for nearly 17 years, shepherding scores of emerging journalists with her wit, compassion and effortless editing. Everything she touched, she made shine, whether it was copy, story framing or a life. She has been a mentor to countless young journalists and NAHJ members, helping to elevate their journalism and become better citizens. For decades, she has embodied NAHJ values around building community both in our story-telling and among each other. She’s the reason NAHJ is also family for so many of us.
Corporate Impact Award: Knight Foundation
Knight Foundation has spent decades investing in the people, ideas and infrastructure journalism needs to thrive. Its support for local news, journalism education, emerging technology, sustainable business models and diverse talent has helped news organizations innovate while creating more opportunities for the journalists and leaders who will shape the future of the industry.
Ñ Legacy Award: José Alberto Suárez, In Memoriam
José Alberto Suárez understood that leadership was about far more than a title. Throughout more than three decades in journalism and executive leadership, he used his influence to mentor journalists, create opportunities, advocate for emerging talent and help others see possibilities in themselves they may not yet have recognized. His legacy lives on through the countless journalists and media leaders whose careers he helped shape.
Spirit of NAHJ Award: Carolina Cruz
Carolina Cruz embodies the spirit of NAHJ through journalism, mentorship, service and an unwavering commitment to opening doors for others. From helping build NAHJ chapters early in her career to now leading the Afro-Latino Task Force, she has consistently used her voice and leadership to strengthen representation and create community for fellow journalists.
National Academic of the Year: Graciela Mochkofsky
Graciela Mochkofsky has transformed journalism education by building pathways for bilingual and multicultural journalists to succeed. As founder of the nation’s first bilingual graduate journalism program, and through initiatives including the Latino Media Initiative and Latino Media Summit, she has created lasting infrastructure that strengthens Latino journalism, representation and leadership across the industry.
The stories of this year’s honorees are a reminder that strengthening journalism takes many forms: reporting fearlessly, mentoring generously, building new pathways, investing in communities and using our influence to make room for those coming next.
Congratulations to the winners of the third annual NAHJ Excelencia Awards. We look forward to celebrating their achievements and the lasting impact of their work.
Join NAHJ and its supporters November 17, 2026 at ABC News Headquarters, in New York City, for a celebration of excellence and investment in the future of journalism. Click here to buy a ticket.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available now at nahj.org/excelencia/sponsors/.
To learn more about the Excelencia Awards, visit our website.
About NAHJ: The National Association of Hispanic Journalists is an educational and charitable association dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanic students, professionals, and educators in the field of journalism. NAHJ focuses heavily on advocacy, addressing injustices and political issues that affect Latino journalists throughout the country, while also supporting a growing network of members and chapters. For more information please visit NAHJ.org.