The St. Louis chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists celebrated excellence, legacy and the power of Black storytelling at its 12th Annual Living Legends Honors on Nov. 15 at Saint Louis University’s Il Monastero Banquet Center.
NABJ-St. Louis this year honored Gloria Ross, a veteran public relations professional; Mike Claiborne, a St. Louis Cardinals radio broadcaster; Shirley Washington, a longtime TV anchor and reporter; and Reginald Riddle-Young, a veteran journalist at the East St. Louis Monitor.
“Tonight is about honoring those who have blazed trails with leadership, courage and commitment to our craft,” chapter President Latonya Yarbro said during her opening remarks.
The event began with a procession of former honorees, including St. Louis American Publisher Dr. Donald M. Suggs and photographer Wiley Price. Past legend Sharon Stevens offered a tribute to two recently departed members, Linda Lockhart and Ron Harris.
“It is because of her and other living legends why we do what we do,” Stevens said of Lockhart.
Dr. Rochelle Smith, of Saint Louis University, highlighted the broader role Black journalists play in shaping public understanding.
“Black journalists have long carried responsibility larger than the newsroom — documenting our joys, our struggles, our resistance and our triumphs,” said Smith, the university’s vice president for diversity and innovative community engagement. “When Black journalists speak, America sees itself more fully, more honestly and more beautifully.”
Recently retired KSDK news director Art Holliday, a 2018 Living Legend, served as emcee. He saluted the honorees as “pillars that have shaped our profession and our community.” NABJ Region II Director Angela Smith also offered greetings and thanked attendees for “paving the road for us and for the journalists still to come.”
The chapter recognized several recent alumni of its long-running Minority Journalism Workshop, and proceeds from the ceremony support the event, which gives high school students hands-on newsroom experience.
St. Louis American Executive Editor Rod Hicks delivered the evening’s keynote address. He said his conversations with the honorees revealed four distinct themes — each raised by a different recipient: proving their worth, preparing for the unexpected, cutting through misinformation and showing humanity in difficult moments.
“They reminded me that many of us have spent our careers proving our worth in spaces that did not always expect us to excel,” Hicks said. “They underscored the need to be ready for anything … and highlighted the compassion required when we sit with people on the worst day of their lives.”
He encouraged journalists to “protect the truth in a world that keeps trying to bury it” and to “show up with humanity that earns trust.”
Riddle-Young was introduced by past honoree Adella Jones, who praised him as “Mr. East St. Louis.” Riddle-Young framed his remarks around service.
“The adventure of life is to learn. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome and the essence of life is to care,” he said. “The purpose of life is to grow, but the opportunity of life is to serve — the most important work any human can do is to serve.”
He added: “Our role is to keep the public informed, hold power accountable and give voice to the voiceless. We are ethically obligated to ensure truth.”
KMOV anchor Maurice Drummond introduced Claiborne, a longtime sports broadcaster and former St. Louis American columnist, calling him “an ultimate five-tool player in a tough and ever-changing competitive world of broadcasting.”
Drummond noted that Claiborne has succeeded across radio, television, print and digital media.
“Mike’s smooth voice and easy delivery during his magnificent career in sports has provided some of the most compelling and important interviews from some of the greatest figures in the history of sports,” he said. “But Mike has also given a voice to the everyday man and woman.”
Stevens introduced Ross, praising her meticulous and often behind-the-scenes contributions. Ross is widely known for her beautifully written obituaries.
“My work is not just about documenting death,” Ross said. “It is honoring a life.”
She added that Black journalists play a crucial role in telling stories that might otherwise be overlooked. “Nobody else is going to tell our stories,” she said.
Veteran Fox 2 anchor Shirley Washington was introduced by past honoree Bonita Cornute, who lauded her professionalism and preparation. Washington, who began her career as a photographer and video editor, reflected on her journey through newsroom s across the country before returning home to St. Louis.
“I grew up watching phenomenal women who were remarkable at their craft,” she said, naming Stevens and Robin Smith. “And the beautiful thing is that they looked like me.”
Washington emphasized the importance of representation in broadcast news. “Young girls who look like me watch the evening news and realize something significant: ‘I can do that too,’” she said. “It has been an incredible journey, and this has been an amazing night.”
The ceremony underscored the enduring influence of Black journalists in St. Louis and beyond — storytellers who have shaped local narratives, defended truth and uplifted their communities.
As Hicks reminded the audience, the honorees’ legacy endures not only in what they achieved but in the standards they set for the profession: resilience, preparation, compassion and service.