Honors From the National Association of Black Journalists

The National Association of Black Journalists acknowledged The New York Times with five awards at its annual conference.

Astead Herndon was named Journalist of the Year, the organization's highest honor, in recognition of his revelatory on-the-ground reporting on the American electorate, particularly over the last two years as host of "The Run-Up ."

The Times also won four Salute to Excellence Awards: two for coverage in the Magazine, one for collaborative reporting on the opioid crisis, and one for a special project.

"The Run-Up" became a premier source for people seeking to understand the beliefs, loyalties and disappointments of an electorate grappling with imperfect choices in the last year's U.S. presidential election- and the forces that led to those choices.

Astead never stopped talking to voters directly, often in areas where distrust for the news media was high and suspicion was an obstacle in getting people to open up. This was true across the political spectrum, from progressives outraged at President Biden over the war in Gaza to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. supporters to the MAGA faithful.

Time and again, Astead earned trust with curiosity, openness and commitment to understanding a point of view. He and producers of "The Run-Up" drew insightful dialogue from people in line for meat on a stick at the Iowa State Fair; in subzero temperatures in New Hampshire; at a climate march; outside a country music concert; at the Conservative Political Action Conference; outside a Washington, D.C., jail; and inside the nominating conventions. Throughout, Astead strove to elevate the voices of people who are not always seen as central to American politics, but whose views and mood shape the outcome of every election.

The Times also won four Salute to Excellence Awards:

J Wortham earned the top award in the Magazine General Reporting category for their deeply affecting profile of Britney Griner after her release from a Russian prison.

J did extraordinary work delivering the first print-exclusive interview with the W.N.B.A. star, who spent nearly a year imprisoned in Russia. J's reporting moves past the breaking-news moment to find detail, depth and humanity.

Linda Villarosa won in the Magazine Specialty category for her reporting on hair relaxers' harm to Black women's health and the aggressive marketing tactics geared toward them.

Drawing on her own experience as a Black woman, Linda took readers on a journey, highlighting the stakes. She centered her reporting on the scientists responsible for advancing the research: Black women themselves, whose research has been inspired by personal experiences. The piece is not just explanatory, but a work of accountability that rings the alarm for readers.

In the National Newspaper Single Story category, The Times, in partnership with The Chicago Sun-Times and The Baltimore Banner, received the top award for their reporting on the opioid crisis' invisible toll on a generation of Black men in America . Josh Katz and Margot Sanger-Katz were recognized along with Nick Thieme, of The Times's Local Investigations Fellowship and The Banner; and Frank Main, Elvia Malagón and Erica Thompson of The Sun-Times.

Their investigation of millions of death records revealed the extent to which drug overdose deaths have affected one group of Black men in dozens of cities across America at nearly every stage of their adult lives.

And New York Times staff took home the win in the Special Project category for " A Visual History of the Harlem Renaissance ."

Though it began over a century ago, the Harlem Renaissance continues to be a wellspring of inspiration. To mark its 100th anniversary, The Times examined its vibrant history through the lenses of literature, culture, gender and sexuality.

Read about all the 2025 Salute to Excellence winners here , and the Hall of Fame inductees and Special Honors recipients here .