JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – News4JAX’s own Melanie Lawson and Erik Avanier were honored at the Ken Knight Awards for making a difference in Jacksonville as Black media professionals.
For the fifth year, the award ceremony, named after legendary broadcaster who broke radio and broadcasting barriers, Adrian Kenneth Knight, will take place on Thursday at WJCT Soundstage to honor the works of local journalists, producers, influencers and marketing professionals.
Lawson said it’s important that Black journalists use their voice to make sure all communities are represented properly.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as making a graphic that would have normally been a white family, but now it’s a black family, a family you would never see when you’re talking about fatherhood, good parenting,” Lawson said.
Avanier was recognized for his questions for Sheriff T.K. Waters during the press conference when the bodycam footage of the William McNeil Jr. traffic stop was released. Tarik Minor accepted the award on behalf of Avanier, who wasn’t in attendance.
This year’s award recipients include:
- Melanie Lawson (WJXT) — Recognized for decades of excellence in broadcast journalism and as one of Jacksonville’s most trusted voices in news.
- Troy “T-Roy” Hadley (93.3 The Beat) — Nationally recognized radio personality rooted in Jacksonville, engaging listeners and shaping culture across the airwaves.
- Chris Porter (First Coast News) — Honored for dynamic sports reporting as Sports Director for First Coast News, telling the stories that unite and energize the community.
- Nicky Sparrow (iHeartMedia) — Celebrated as Executive Vice President of Multicultural Sales for iHeartMedia, advancing innovation, equity, and representation in media leadership.
- Erik Avanier (WJXT) — Recognized for impactful storytelling and integrity in coverage of issues that matter most to Northeast Florida.
- Rahman Johnson (Jacksonville City Council) — Recipient of the Ken Knight Legacy in Action Award, honoring a lifelong dedication to media and ongoing service as a Jacksonville City Councilman using communication to inform and empower the community.
- Dana Michelle Maule (Filmmaker & Producer) — Recipient of the NABJ Jacksonville Award for Storytelling Excellence for her prior newsroom and PR experience and continued advocacy for local Black neighborhoods through “Moncrief Springs: The Movie” and the Northside Pride initiative.
RELATED: WJXT’s Freddie Rhodes honored at Jacksonville’s Ken Knight Awards
Congratulations to all of the winners.
The event is also in partnership with the Northeast Florida chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.