Black voices, untold stories take center stage

Ten Black media professionals were honored by the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis for careers devoted to informing the public, amplifying community voices and expanding representation in journalism and entertainment.

The organization’s annual Salute to Blacks in Media luncheon on Thursday recognized professionals whose careers span television, print, radio and digital media.

Carol Daniel, emcee of the luncheon and director of the Urban League’s Save Our Sisters program, said recognizing Black media professionals also means acknowledging the importance of having Black voices and perspectives represented in the industry.

“It’s difficult, but you are necessary, and you are needed,” Daniel told the honorees. “There are stories that won’t be told if you aren’t there. There are young people who won’t believe they can do it unless they see you first.”

Among the honorees was Kenya Vaughn, arts and entertainment editor of The St. Louis American, who has worked at the newspaper for 22 years.

“Journalism, yeah, it’s a job. It’s a craft, but it’s an act of service as well,” Vaughn said.

“Tell the story, write the story that you would want to read,” she said. “Reflect the community in the way that encourages us to rise to the highest version of ourselves.”

Vaughn credited St. Louis American Publisher Donald M. Suggs with providing her the opportunity and setting the standard of excellence she strives to uphold.

Referring to Suggs as “the blueprint,” Vaughn praised his commitment to creating a counter-narrative to portrayals of the Black community. She said The American provides a space for Black people to tell “our stories, as opposed to other people deciding on a narrative about us and going with that.”

“I would not be getting this award if it weren’t for Donald M. Suggs, period, point blank,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn, who earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Grambling State University, with a minor in corporate communications, said her goal was never simply to become a writer or journalist. She specifically wanted to be part of The St. Louis American, an ambition inspired by the impact the newspaper had on her grandfather. 

Vaughn said her grandfather was one of the first Black insurance salesmen in St. Louis to work for Metropolitan Life. The American profiled him in the late 1960s or early 1970s, and he had the article made into a plaque. She said he continued talking proudly about being featured in the newspaper until his death in 2006.

“If it made him feel that way, I was like, I want to make other people feel the way my grandfather feels,” Vaughn said.

Another honoree, Morgan Harris, evening news anchor at KMOV, said the recognition caused her to think less about the stories she has reported and more about the people who trusted her to tell them.

“People trust us not only to tell them what’s happening in their community, but help them understand why it matters,” Harris said.

She emphasized the importance of representation throughout newsrooms, from anchors to photographers, digital staff and managers.

“I think about the little girl who may be watching the news and sees someone who looks like her,” Harris said. “And I hope she sees possibility and that she knows that her voice matters.”

The other honorees were Damon Arnold, news anchor and journalist at KMOV; Jay Gill, vice president of engineering and operations at KTVI/KPLR; veteran radio personality DJ Kut; Jasmine Osby, music, arts and entertainment reporter at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Tani “Talus” Robbin-Coker, brand manager at Audacy; Cam Rhodes of VOP (Voice of The People); Denisha Thomas, news director at KSDK; and Malik Wilson, television personality and “Show Me St. Louis” host at KSDK.

Dr. BJ “The DJ” Holiday, a previous Salute to Blacks in Media honoree, returned to support this year’s recipients, particularly fellow radio personality DJ Kut.

Holiday said Black media provides an avenue for stories about the Black community that might otherwise receive little attention.

“When you talk about Black media, we’re able to pull those stories and shine a light on how great the Black community is,” Holiday said.

Michael McMillan, president and CEO of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, also reflected on the impact of seeing Black people represented in the media.

McMillan recalled his family running into the living room to watch Diane White deliver the weather on Channel 5, describing how powerful it was for them to see a Black person on television.

“You sometimes don’t realize the authority and the power and the presence that you have,” McMillan told the honorees.