Reflecting on the Recent Passings of NABJ Family and Friends

This fall and winter have been a time of transition for the NABJ family and our colleagues in the industry. We’ve lost several Black journalists, communicators, and media leaders while balancing various traumas as a community. While we are a resilient people, it’s important to take time to reflect and remember.

We extend heartfelt condolences to everyone in our community and the families and loved ones impacted by a recent loss. Our support is with our members and others as they navigate these times.

We encourage our members to take advantage of grief resources such as the NIH’s “Coping with Grief Guide” here: https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2017/10/coping-grief.

You can view some of NABJ’s past mental health, trauma management, and healthcare webinars here:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-hu6c4dLdHD2xecC_RShAlBkKh_49MK0&si=YnBEPoFdzjvOtYQX.

Now, we pause to remember…

Derrick Ward, a beloved news reporter at NBC4 in Washington, D.C., passed on January 7, 2025, at 62 due to complications from cardiac arrest. He was celebrated as a hometown hero and reported for NBC4 since 2006. Before that, he was on-air at WKBW-TV in Buffalo. Prior to his award-winning television news career, his voice could be heard on WPFW, WAMU, and WTOP. He lent his prolific storytelling to events impacting lives around the world, including the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon and the Washington sniper shootings.

Stephanie Holland, a multi-faceted staff writer for The Root, who covered Black TV, music, film, culture, and special features and provided coverage of the Primetime Emmys, passed on December 31, 2024, at 47 years old. As a senior writer, she authored more than 2,000 articles on Black culture and entertainment. She was respected among colleagues for notable interviews with today’s leading Black Hollywood actors, directors, and producers.

Greg Gumbel, a pioneering CBS Sports anchor and commentator, passed December 27, 2024, at 78 after battling cancer. In addition to his past work with NBC Sports and ESPN, he was renowned for his compelling Emmy-winning coverage as the chief anchor of “The NFL Today” and of the world’s biggest sports events such as the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and March Madness. He inspired future generations of Black sports journalists and celebrated more than 50 years as a broadcaster.

Marian Dozier, who was a cultural affairs reporter for the Detroit Free Press from 1989 to 1998, passed at 61 on December 6, 2024, after a battle with dementia. During her time in the news, Dozier was a member of an award-winning investigative team called “Children First!” focusing on children’s social issues and their solutions.

Robin Ayers, a celebrated entertainment reporter and radio host at KBLA 1580 Talk Radio, passed away at 44 on December 5, 2024, after a battle with cancer. Before joining KBLA in March 2022 as host of “The RA Report with Robin Ayers,” her work could be seen on EURweb, The Jasmine Brand, AfterBuzz TV, BET, OWN Network, and FOX. 

Elaine Effort, who served nearly 40 years as an award-winning reporter with KQV-AM 1410, passed unexpectedly on November 6, 2024. Effort was a pioneer, serving as the first Black female journalist at KQV and a charter member of the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation. Effort was passionate about telling stories that mattered to the Black community, and although she retired in 2017, she continued to work with local radio in various capacities to ensure the community’s voice was heard. She was a mentor to many young journalists.

Quincy Jones, who passed away on November 3, 2024, at 91, was a legendary producer and a creative force in American music history. Jones played a pivotal role in entertainment media for the Black community as founder of VIBE magazine. For decades, VIBE was a leading voice in hip-hop journalism, widely regarded as an authoritative source on hip-hop culture, and instrumental in elevating the genre to prominence.

Jill Tracey, who was considered an iconic voice in radio, passed suddenly on November 1, 2024, at 60. She was a leading voice at HOT 105 FM in Miami, where she served as news director for more than a decade and co-hosted the nationally-recognized “Rickey Smiley Morning Show.” She was also host of “Hot Talk with Jill Tracey.” Tracey was a past president of South Florida’s NABJ chapter. She launched her career as a columnist in South Beach.

Matthew Lewis, Jr., a pioneering photojournalist and Pulitzer Prize winner who chronicled some of the most remarkable moments of the 20th century, passed away at 94 on October 2, 2024. He earned national acclaim during his time at The Washington Post, where he made history as the first Black assistant managing editor of photography. 

Warren Wilson, a trailblazing Black broadcast journalist and one of the first to be hired in Los Angeles during the 1960s, passed away on September 27, 2024, at 90. With a career spanning over 40 years, including 21 years at KTLA beginning in 1984, Wilson was known for his in-depth reporting and on-air presence. He covered significant events in Los Angeles history, such as the Kennedy assassination, the Los Angeles riots, and the O.J. Simpson trial.

Tina McElroy Ansa, a novelist and literary pioneer, passed away on September 10, 2024, at 74. Her career began as a copyeditor for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (then the Atlanta Journal), where she became the first Black woman hired there in 1971. Following her work in journalism, Ansa rose to prominence for her award-winning books and created DownSouth Press, an independent publishing house promoting Black literature. 

We’ve also shared the following in memorians on NABJonline.org recently.

The NABJ Family Celebrates the Life and Legacy of Richard Parsons

NABJ Remembers Chauncy Glover: A Champion for Youth, Community, and Compassionate Storytelling

The NABJ Family Mourns the Loss of 2019 Journalist of Distinction Mel Showers

NABJ will recognize Black journalists and communicators we’ve lost over the year during our Annual Convention & Career Fair in Cleveland in August 2025. Share information about passings for inclusion here: bit.ly/NABJInMemoriam