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Long-time National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) member Sheila Brooks is the 2017 recipient of the prestigious NABJ President’s Award.

Each year, the NABJ president hands out the honor annually for outstanding service and commitment to the organization.

In announcing the selection at the Salute to Excellence Awards program during the 42nd NABJ Convention and Career Fair in New Orleans earlier this month, NABJ President Sarah Glover praised Brooks for her “never-ending support during a very challenging era.”

“There wasn’t a time that Dr. Brooks was called that she didn’t step up providing exceptional service and leadership as we improved the way we do business,” Glover said as she shared major accomplishments during her two-year term. “We erased a huge deficit and ended our first year with an impressive surplus that allowed us to further solidify our future.”
Citing Brooks’ leadership role in helping to develop and implement the NABJ Strategic Plan 2017-2020, Glover, who was elected to a second term as president during the convention, noted that the Emmy-award winning journalist, entrepreneur, and dedicated advocate for minority and women’s issues and small businesses went above and beyond for NABJ, guiding the board as it made oftentimes tough decisions to further position the organization for success.

This is the third time Brooks has been recognized for her service to NABJ with the President’s Award; she’s the first NABJ member to receive the accolade three times.

“Early in the morning or late at night, Dr. Brooks answered the call for NABJ,” continued Glover. “She is no stranger to NABJ and the decisions she makes are in the best interest of the organization and its members.

“This isn’t a popularity contest for her. She is genuinely interested in the growth and development of NABJ.”

A three-term former national NABJ board member, Brooks has worked 40 years on various NABJ committees. Her legacy was firmly cemented with the founding of the NABJ Student Projects in 1990, a weeklong newsroom training experience where students work with professional journalists during the NABJ convention.
“I love NABJ and I am so proud of the leadership of President Glover,” she said during her acceptance speech. “This organization has done and continues to do so much for journalists and the industry. I will always support NABJ as I have for the past 40 years as a member. It has been an honor serving this administration.”

Brooks is founder, president and CEO of SRB Communications, a full-service 27-year-old advertising and marketing agency in Washington, D.C., with satellite offices in Baltimore, Maryland and New York City. The boutique agency specializes in multicultural markets, helping clients develop their brand, positioning and strategies through integrated media formats in broadcast, print, digital, and social media for advertising, marketing, outreach and public education campaigns. Brooks is an expert in multicultural marketing, entrepreneurial education and minority business issues.

Prior to starting her company in 1990, Brooks built a distinguished television career as a reporter, anchor, and news director at CBS, NBC, and PBS affiliate TV stations across the country. She worked as the documentary executive producer for WTTG Reports at the Fox owned-and operated station in the District. Her more than 39 years in the television and communications industry has garnered more than 100 awards including two 2016 Salute to Excellence Marketing and Public Relations Awards for her agency’s work on the University of the District of Columbia’s Marketing Campaign and Microsite/Website Landing Page from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), 47 national Telly Awards and induction in the Silver Circle – a Hall of Fame honor from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which recognizes more than 25 years of excellence in journalism.

Brooks’ husband, Rodney, and her son, Andre, are also members of NABJ.