The 2019 NABJ Convention is in full swing in Miami, and journalists from all over have convened on the city to celebrate the field, network, learn, discuss and celebrate those who continue to succeed and push the boundaries of the industry.
One of those being honored this week is long time sports journalist, Garry D. Howard.
Howard has been in sports for over three decades, breaking barriers in many of the positions he’s held throughout his career.
Beginning the early 1980s, Howard’s started his journalism career at the Trenton Times as a sports reporter, but quickly moved up the ranks, ascending to the position of executive sports editor at the Milwaukee Journal in 1994. It was there that he broke the door down, becoming the only African American sports editor at a major metropolitan at the time.
But Howard wouldn’t stop there, as he would continue to blaze trails in sports journalism, including becoming the first African American president of the Associated Press Sports Editors in the 45-year history of the organization.
Per the NABJ press release:
In 2009, he received the NABJ Sports Task Force Sam Lacy Pioneer Award and served as president of the NABJ Sports Task Force from 1999-2001. Howard was named director of Corporate Initiatives at American City Business Journals in April of 2014, after serving as editor in chief of The Sporting News for three years. He now serves on the Dow Jones News Fund Board and multiple journalism school boards. He was also inducted into the Milwaukee Press Club Hall of Fame.
Howard was emotional when he got the call that he was entering the NABJ Hall of Fame.
“It’s a phone call from the president of the National Association of Black Journalists that brings tears to your eyes… After working tirelessly for over 35 years as a journalist, it is a thrill to be inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame,” said Howard.
On Friday, sports journalism trailblazer, Garry D. Howard, will be inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a man who has blazed trails for others to follow, and an ever greater honor for a man who we at The Shadow League can call family.
Congratulations Garry!
