2022 Gallery
2023 Gallery
Award Show: June 19, 2025
Jacksonville, FL
The celebration of Black History is a powerful opportunity to honor the trailblazers who have shaped our legacy. Acknowledging members of the media who tirelessly amplify our stories, our voices, and our culture, local attorney Nwabufo “Obi” Umunna, Esq. took a bold step in 2020 to create an event that would honor these very media trailblazers. His vision was clear: to create a space where African-American media professionals could be recognized for their incredible contributions to our community. This event brings together the best and brightest from TV, radio, print, and social media under one roof, creating a moment of unity, celebration, and recognition.
The Ken Knight Award was established to pay tribute to Ken Knight whose mission in life was to uplift African Americans in the media. His legacy continues to inspire those who are committed to telling our stories and shaping our narratives. This event is not just a celebration, it’s a movement that honors the past, uplifts the present, and empowers the future.
In 1949 Ken Knight moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he became program director, assistant manager and the first African-American announcer in the South, when all-white radio station WROD-AM 1310 hired him. He is credited with starting a movement in which African Americans asked for more of their music and announcements to be aired. Mr. Knight initiated training programs to prepare other African Americans for careers in broadcasting. He originated the Ken Knight Show which was the first African American television show in Jacksonville. The purpose of the show, according to Mr. Knight "is not only to show the talents of our people in music and other forms of entertainment but, also, present to the viewing public other fields of achievement by Negroes."
Ken Knight was giant to all Americans and we stand on his shoulders. So this year and every year we will present this award to people who you use their platform to advance and uplift Black people.
The Ken Knight Awards is a one-of-a-kind celebration, a groundbreaking event that shines a powerful spotlight on the incredible African-American media trailblazers in Jacksonville. This is not just an event, it's a movement. We are bringing together the brilliant minds behind TV, radio, newspapers, and digital platforms—honoring those who amplify voices, tell stories, and shape narratives that inspire change. This event will honor not only the faces you see on your screens and hear through your speakers but also the unsung heroes working behind the scenes who have broken barriers across every corner of African-American media.
Your sponsorship means more than just visibility—it’s an investment in recognizing and empowering the voices that uplift the entire African-American community. This is your chance to stand front and center with 100s of Jacksonville’s most influential media tastemakers. Together, we’ll celebrate excellence, inspire future generations, and ensure the stories that need to be told, get told.
Join us June 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, FL for an evening honoring local Jacksonville media professionals in the African-American community.
Dress Code: Cocktail attire
This event is open to media professionals and their guests! RSVP is required.
Award nomination guidelines:
Nominees must be active participants of African-American media (including but not limited to journalists, representatives from tv, radio, newspapers, and social media influencers, etc).
All award nominations must be received via the nomiation form on this page from April 2 to June 1, 2025. This deadline is based on Ken Knight Awards Policy. There are no exceptions or extensions.
In general, an individual can be renominated for two consecutive years after the initial nomination. Subsequent nominations can be made after a one-year period.
