The National Association of Black Journalists announced that Rolan Martin has been named the 2013 Journalist of the Year. Martin is a nationally syndicated columnist and TV host. Martin also wrote an op-ed for TSL on Kevin Garnett and trash talk.
From the NABJ:
"I am enormously thankful and humbled that NABJ has bestowed this amazing honor on me for my work as a fearless voice in advocating the critical issues facing voters in the 2012 election, but especially as they relate to African Americans," said Martin. "I hope this honor serves as a lesson to any young or veteran journalist that Black media platforms are just as essential and important to us today as they have always been. Before CNN, TV One offered me a TV platform for my commentaries, as well my own show. After CNN, TV One and Tom Joyner, are still there. It pleases me greatly to be at a place where our voices and images are the norm, and not the exception. I'm enormously thankful for the opportunity."
Those who nominated Martin noted his important coverage of voter suppression, perhaps the biggest story of the 2012 presidential election.
"No other African-American journalist and member of NABJ brought more news and analysis to black communities about the most important story of 2012 than Roland Martin," said Vanessa Williams, former NABJ President and an editor at The Washington Post. "As managing editor and host of Washington Watch on TV One, Roland consistently offered journalism that reflected the hopes and fears of many African American voters as they anxiously watched to see whether Barack Obama would win a second term as president of the United States."
