Alicia Nails named 2018 NABJ Journalism Educator of the Year
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 13, 2018) -- Alicia Nails has been named the 2018 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Educator of the Year. She directs the Journalism Institute for Media Diversity at Wayne State University in Detroit and serves as an academic adviser and mentor for the program's honor students and grads. She also teaches a Reporting on Race, Gender and Culture class.
"I'm honored to be recognized by the professional organization that has supported my career from the beginning with priceless experiences, exposures, and friendships," Nails said. "Most importantly, this is a testament to the value of the amazing students and alums of Wayne State's journalism program."
An Emmy Award-winning journalist, Nails' work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit News, the Michigan Chronicle, and BLAC magazine, a lifestyle magazine for Black Detroiters. She serves on the BLAC advisory board and is the recording secretary for NABJ's Detroit chapter.
Nails' background also includes writing and producing at WXIA-TV in Atlanta, Detroit stations WTVS-TV and WJBK-TV, and at WCBS-TV and Essence Communications, both in New York City. She also reported breaking news and features as a writer/producer WWJ Newsradio 950 in Detroit.
"Dedication, a consummate professional, very passionate about training young people. She's amazing," said Vickie Thomas, NABJ's Region II director and city beat reporter for WWJ Newsradio 950, about Nails. "Alicia has trained quite a few journalists who have gone on to do great things not only in Detroit but beyond. (They) absolutely love her."
In addition to college students, Nails is also very committed to recruiting high school students of color, many of whom attend Wayne State on full-tuition scholarships.
"More than a teacher, Alicia is a mentor, problem solver, cheerleader, and friend to her students. In the classroom, she insists upon rigor, and outside of the classroom, she gathers all of the resources at her disposal to see that her most motivated students succeed," said Desiree Cooper, a Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist and Detroit community activist and author. "It is hard to discern where her job begins and where it ends -- safeguarding the future of journalism is her life's work."
Nails will be honored at the NABJ Gospel Brunch during the NABJ Convention and Career Fair on Sunday Aug. 5 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center. Convention registration and awards tickets can be purchased here.
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About the National Association of Black Journalists: An advocacy group established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for journalists of color in the nation and provides career development as well as educational and other support to its members worldwide. For additional information, please visit www.nabj.org.