New Orleans, July 25, 2026 – The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is proud to announce its 2026 Chapter Cup award winners, recognizing outstanding chapters that empower Latino journalists, advance equity in newsrooms, and build stronger communities through impactful programming.
Chapters remain the backbone of NAHJ’s work nationwide, and this year’s winners reflect the organization’s continued growth in scholarships, mentorship and community programming across the country.
National Chapter of the Year: San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists (SAAHJ)
SAAHJ stood out across nearly every evaluation category, especially when it came to scholarships, fundraising and long-term community impact. Highlights include:
- Awarded approximately $75,000 in scholarships to students pursuing journalism and communications careers
- Teen Team mentorship initiative supporting the next generation of journalists through mentorship, workshops and educational partnerships
- Raised more than $168,000 through its annual gala, with over $103,000 going directly back into scholarships and chapter programming
- Strong community engagement through recurring networking events and partnerships with local media and communications organizations
San Antonio’s consistency, financial impact and long-standing investment in student development made the chapter the strongest overall candidate for Chapter of the Year.
National Chapter Award of Excellence: NAHJ Philadelphia
NAHJ Philadelphia was recognized for strong growth, thoughtful programming and a commitment to creating opportunities for students and early-career journalists. Highlights include:
- Grew membership from 37 to 43 members
- Launched its inaugural Excellence in Journalism Awards and first-ever scholarship program
- Strengthened student outreach through a partnership with Temple University and support for a new student chapter
- Programming centered on mentorship, professional development, accessibility and community-building
While Philadelphia operates on a smaller scale than some larger chapters, it demonstrated impressive momentum, intentional leadership and strong regional impact throughout the year.
Student Chapter of the Year: The University of Florida
At the beginning of the year, this chapter had very little activity. Through strong leadership and a commitment to building community, it grew into a thriving organization with more than 22 members. Highlights include:
- Expanded programming focused on mentorship, career readiness and community engagement
- Hosted its inaugural Open House Latino Showcase, bringing together students, faculty, industry professionals and community members to celebrate Hispanic storytelling and student journalism
- Created professional workshops and networking opportunities promoting Latino voices and student success
“These chapters show what’s possible when journalists commit to lifting up their communities,” said Dunia Elvir, NAHJ President. “They create opportunities, build community, and ensure the next generation of Latino journalists has the support to succeed.”
The University of Florida was named this year’s overall NAHJ Chapter Cup winner, capping a remarkable year of growth for the chapter.
The awardees learned they had won during the opening celebration of NAHJ’s annual conference, held July 22-25, 2026 in New Orleans.
Press contact: communications@nahj.org
About NAHJ:
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) is the largest organization of Latino journalists in the United States and is dedicated to the recognition and professional advancement of Hispanics in the news industry. Established in April 1984, NAHJ created a national voice and unified vision for all Hispanic journalists. The mission of NAHJ is to increase the number of Latinos in newsrooms and to work toward fair and accurate representation of Latinos in news media. NAHJ has more than 3,500 members, including working journalists, journalism students, other media-related professionals, and journalism educators. For more information, please visit NAHJ.org or follow us on X @NAHJ.