Overview
- At its Salute to Excellence gala in Atlanta on Saturday night, the National Association of Black Journalists presented Smith with a Thumbs Down award saying he showed a “recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women.”
- Smith immediately pledged a response on X and then released a roughly 45‑minute on‑air rebuttal calling the award a “personal hit job,” accusing NABJ of political motives and giving interviews to amplify his defense.
- NABJ president Errin Haines defended the award as an accountability tool, said the organization remains open to dialogue and emphasized that corporate partnerships do not silence its voice.
- Coverage and reaction were mixed, with some voices praising NABJ for calling out harmful rhetoric and others criticizing the group for not citing specific remarks and for targeting a long‑time NABJ ally.
- The dispute highlights questions about how trade groups document and present public rebukes, risks straining ties between Black journalism organizations and prominent media figures, and could lead to further public exchanges or private talks to resolve the conflict.