October 16, 2025 — The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) announced it will honor three individuals with special presidential awards when organization members gather in New York next month for the Excelencia Awards and Student Summit. The awards recognize individuals whose leadership, innovation, and courage have made an enduring impact on journalism and Latino communities.
NAHJ President Dunia Elvir will present the honors at the Excelencia Awards reception on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The next day, NAHJ will host its fall Student Summit, a free, daylong program for high school and college students aspiring to careers in media.
“These honorees represent the spirit of NAHJ,” Elvir said. “They lead with integrity, courage, and a deep commitment to our communities — setting the example for the next generation of journalists coming up behind them.”
This year’s honorees are:
Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of the Hispanic Federation — recipient of the Fearless Award, honoring individuals who lead with heart, courage, and an unwavering commitment to justice.
Albert Rodriguez, CEO and President of MediaCo Holding Inc. — recipient of the Visionary Award, recognizing leaders whose bold ideas and steady determination have transformed the media landscape.
MJ Acosta-Ruiz, SportsCenter anchor and trailblazing journalist at ESPN Deportes and NBA TV — recipient of the MVP Award, honoring exceptional achievement and impact in sports journalism.
Celebrating leadership and investing in the future
The Excelencia Awards themselves will be presented to Mireya Villarreal (National Latina Journalist of the Year), Brunella Tipismana (National Student of the Year), Jim Acosta (Ñ Legacy Award), Charo Henríquez (Spirit of NAHJ Award), and JPMorganChase (Corporate Impact Award).
More than a celebration of achievement, the Excelencia Awards are NAHJ’s largest annual fundraiser for NextGen programs, which support the next generation of Hispanic journalists through scholarships, internships, mentorship, and hands-on training.
For more than four decades, NAHJ has helped students overcome financial, cultural, and professional barriers to careers in journalism. From national scholarships to local student chapters and mentorship programs, NAHJ continues to build pathways for emerging talent to thrive in an evolving media industry.
The following day, on Saturday, November 8, NAHJ will host the fall 2025 Student Summit in New York City — a free, interactive event that connects high school and college students with newsroom leaders, recruiters, and mentors. The summit will be held at the Craig Newmark School of Journalism at the City University of New York.
The back-to-back events reflect NAHJ’s commitment to empowering both today’s media leaders and tomorrow’s storytellers.
“This weekend captures the full arc of NAHJ’s mission,” said Executive Director Yaneth Guillén-Díaz. “On Friday, we celebrate the leaders who have transformed journalism, and on Saturday, we invest in the students who will shape its future. Supporting Excelencia means supporting the next generation of Latino journalists.”
The 2025 Excelencia Awards promise an unforgettable evening of connection, recognition, and inspiration — bringing together journalists, media executives, and supporters from across the country. Presenting sponsor Comcast NBCUniversal will host the reception-style event starting at 7:00 pm on Friday.
Tickets and donations help sustain NAHJ’s NextGen programs year-round. To attend or contribute, visit nahj.org/excelencia or nahj.org/donate.
###
About NAHJ
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Through training, advocacy, and scholarships, NAHJ works to ensure fair representation in newsrooms and accurate coverage of Latino communities. Learn more at NAHJ.org.