FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2022
NAHJ Announces 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees and Award Honorees
(Washington, D.C.) – Every year, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) proudly recognizes individuals who have courageously upheld our mission to expand the number of Latinos in newsrooms and improve coverage of Latino communities. These individuals demonstrate a commitment to the journalism profession, paving the way for other Latino journalists. They have practiced journalistic values with distinction while inspiring others to do the same. They have been pioneers, leaders, and mentors.
NAHJ is proud to announce this year’s Hall of Fame inductees and award winners will be honored at the coveted Hall of Fame Gala on August 6, 2022 during the NABJ-NAHJ convention in Las Vegas, Nevada at Caesars Palace. The awards ceremony will be hosted by CBS Weekend News Anchor Adriana Diaz.
The 2022 NAHJ Hall of Fame inductees are: Diana Fuentes, Rebecca Aguilar, Robert Hernandez, and Steve Gonzales (posthumous).
Diana R. Fuentes
A second-generation Texan whose first language is Spanish, Diana grew up in Laredo on the Texas-Mexico border. She has more than 35 years of experience in journalism, from police reporter to political editor to publisher, and has covered major stories across Mexico and the U.S. She has a bachelor’s degree from The University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree from Texas State University. As executive director of Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE), Diana is the first person of color to hold that position. She oversees an organization dedicated to training journalists in the latest investigative and data analysis techniques and to improving the quality and diversity of journalism with more than 5,000 members from around the world. Diana is a governor of the Headliners Foundation of Texas and past president of the Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas, Texas AP Managing Editors, and the San Antonio Association of Hispanic Journalists. She is a former treasurer and secretary of NAHJ.
Rebecca Aguilar
Rebecca Aguilar is the first Latina and woman of color elected president of the Society of Professional Journalists in the organization’s 113-year history. She has been a journalist for four decades. Twenty-eight of those years were spent as a reporter at television stations across the country. Today she is a freelance reporter who works on all news platforms. Along the way, she has been recognized with 50 awards and nominations for her journalism work. Rebecca has been a member of NAHJ since the mid-1980s and has served on the NAHJ board as vice president.
Robert Hernandez
Robert Hernandez, aka WebJournalist, has made a name for himself as a journalist of the Web, not just on the Web. His primary focus is exploring and developing the intersection of technology and journalism. He is a professor of professional practice at the University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communication and Journalism, but he’s not an academic; he’s more of a “hackademic” who specializes in “MacGyvering” digital journalism through emerging technologies. His most recent work includes augmented reality, wearables/Google Glass, and virtual reality. He and his students produce VR experiences under their brand, JOVRNALISM™. Their work has been recognized by The Webby Awards, The Shorty Awards, the Online News Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), among others, and can be seen in Al Jazeera, The New York Times, NBC, NPR, ProPublica, USA TODAY and their own iOS/Android app. He is the recipient of SPJ’s 2015 Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award and the 2018 NAHJ Sí Se Puede Award. He connects dots and people.
Steve Gonzales
The NAHJ community is devastated over the recent passing of Steve Gonzales. A photo editor, photographer, and newsroom leader with nearly four decades of experience producing and editing high-caliber photojournalism for metropolitan newspapers and for the past seventeen years at the Houston Chronicle. His work developing visual and multimedia content garnered national recognition and awards. Throughout his life and career, he mentored, developed, and relentlessly advocated for the next generation of photojournalists of color in the news business. Sadly, Steve passed away on June 25th, 2022, surrounded by his family. NAHJ is proud to honor his memory and legacy with his posthumous induction into the NAHJ Hall of fame.
During this year’s Hall of Fame Gala, the national association will also honor the work of three distinguished journalists.
This year’s NAHJ ‘President’s’ Award will be presented to John Quiñones, ABC News correspondent; the NAHJ ‘Sí Se Puede’ Award winner to Pulitzer Prize winning Journalist, Author and Media Executive, Maria Hinojosa; and the NAHJ ‘¡Dale!’ Award honoree is Los Angeles Times’ Opinion Columnist and Author, Jean Guerrero.
John Quiñones
John is an author, producer, motivational speaker, and host of What Would You Do? A former migrant farmworker, John has won seven national Emmy Awards during his 35-year career as a television journalist. He spent over a decade reporting throughout Latin America, including in Panama City during the U.S. invasion in December 1989. In recognition of his pioneering work, he has won several lifetime achievement awards and has been an inspiration for young Latin American journalists.
Maria Hinojosa
Maria is an author, anchor of Latino USA (NPR), One on One with Maria Hinojosa (WGBH/La Plaza), and the founder of Futuro Media Group. She has dedicated her career to telling underreported stories that celebrate the diverse cultural fabric of America. Her producing and reporting has won her a Pulitzer Prize, four Emmys, a Peabody Award, and many more. Maria’s 30-year career in journalism is distinguished by her dedication to mentoring the next generation of journalists and commitment to furthering diversity in media.
Jean Guerrero
Jean is an award-winning columnist, correspondent, and author. Her groundbreaking writing and investigations about immigration and the US/Mexico border have shaped public conversation and transcended boundaries. An Emmy Award and PEN Literary award winner, Jean’s intrepid reporting exemplifies excellence. Her latest book is Hatemonger: Stephen Miller, Donald Trump and the White Nationalist Agenda.
Convention attendance is not required to attend the Hall of Fame Gala. Register and purchase tickets here by logging in or creating an account with NAHJ.
To ensure everyone’s safety, NAHJ requires attendees to submit proof of vaccination. Reach out to membership@nahj.org with any and all questions.
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Media Contact:
BA Snyder
Veritas Group for NAHJ
512.630.6337
BA@TheVeritasWay.com