The National Association of Black Journalists handed Stephen A. Smith its “Thumbs Down” award Saturday night at the organization’s Salute to Excellence Awards Gala during the NABJ26 convention, citing a “recurring public pattern of disparaging public commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports and media.”
The recognition, given annually to entities or individuals whose actions run counter to NABJ’s mission, landed just a few years after Smith and ESPN’s “First Take” were featured guests at the same organization’s conventions. In 2024, “First Take” broadcast live from the NABJ gathering in Chicago, where Smith cut short vacation time to appear and spoke warmly about the group’s value. “You come to a place like the National Association of Black Journalists conference and you’re reminded of what togetherness is all about. How there’s strength in numbers and unity,” Smith said at the time. The show returned for a live taping at the 2025 convention in Cleveland as well.
The contrast has fueled sharp online reaction. Philip Lewis, a HuffPost deputy editor and Washington Association of Black Journalists president, shared video of the announcement, which quickly drew thousands of engagements. One widely circulated post from Faith M. Jackson simply read, “Black women say THANK YOU @NABJ,” accompanied by applause emojis. Other users amplified the news with varying degrees of approval, while some questioned the selective nature of the criticism.
The National Association of Black Journalists gives Stephen A. Smith the “Thumbs Down” award for his “recurring public pattern of disparaging public commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports and media.” pic.twitter.com/2goiWxfrlN
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 16, 2026
Critics of the award quickly pointed to what they describe as NABJ’s own inconsistencies. In 2024 the organization invited then-former President Donald Trump to appear at its Chicago convention for a high-profile interview with a panel of Black journalists. The decision sparked resignations among some organizers and widespread internal debate after Trump made comments questioning Vice President Kamala Harris’s racial identity and delivered a combative performance. NABJ leadership defended the appearance as an exercise in journalism and accountability, even as many members and outside observers called it a platforming of divisive rhetoric.
The organization has also faced scrutiny over its engagement with other polarizing media figures and commercial partners. Conservative sports commentator Jason Whitlock, whose commentary has frequently targeted progressive cultural positions and drawn accusations of disparaging Black athletes, women and institutions, has long operated in the same broader media ecosystem. Whitlock has publicly commented on NABJ events and decisions over the years. Separately, NABJ has maintained open advertising and sponsorship channels that accept revenue from a range of media companies, including those aligned with right-leaning sports commentary outlets such as Outkick, which has built a brand around contrarian sports and culture takes under Clay Travis and later Fox ownership.
Defenders of the thumbs-down decision argue the award specifically targets a pattern of commentary rather than political affiliation or commercial relationships. Smith’s high-profile critiques of figures ranging from athletes and coaches to political leaders and media personalities have long generated both ratings and backlash. Supporters of the NABJ action say the organization is simply holding a powerful Black media figure to account for rhetoric that, in their view, disproportionately harms Black women.
Smith, one of the highest-paid and most visible personalities in sports media, has not yet issued a detailed public response to the award as of early Sunday. His history with NABJ includes both participation as a featured voice and occasional friction over coverage and commentary standards.
The episode underscores ongoing tensions within Black journalism circles over free speech, accountability, political platforming and commercial pragmatism. NABJ’s decision to honor Smith with its negative distinction while previously hosting Trump and maintaining relationships across the media spectrum has left some observers accusing the group of selective standards. Others see it as a consistent defense of Black women against public disparagement, regardless of the speaker’s prominence or past cooperation with the organization.
The Salute to Excellence Awards continue to recognize positive contributions to journalism alongside the thumbs-down citations, reflecting the group’s dual role as both celebrant and critic within the industry.
