Kent was selected for this honor in national recognition of her exceptional journalistic work titled, "Tragedy in Thousand Oaks,". The award was voted on by her peers. The award commemorates an impressive rise for Kent. This year, there were 77 winners determined from nearly 1,300 submissions. Kent won for Online Reporting: Deadline Reporting (Independent), becoming the first African American woman to take home the award in this category.
Kent joined an elite crowd of media professionals from across the country at a banquet hosted by NBC News chief White House correspondent Hallie Jackson.
In describing its criteria for the award SPJ said, “Each award recognizes resourceful and complete coverage of a major breaking news event, emphasizing both deadline reporting and continuing coverage as the story develops over succeeding days.”
Kent's work focused on the mass shooting that occurred at the Borderline Bar & Grill in Thousand Oaks, California last fall where a former Marine opened fire on a packed bar, killing 12, including college students and a veteran sheriffs sergeant. The project, which includes exclusive footage and exclusive interviews, features survivors, parents of the victims, law enforcement and detailed coverage of the funeral for the slain officer. Through careful reporting with digital video, incisive writing and palpable concern for victims, the work portrays insight with great detail about the impact of violence, crime, disaster, and other trauma.
The aspects of value to the reader or viewer is showcased through the content, design, writing, editing, and compact piece of work that covered a lot of ground from all sides of the issue through in-depth reporting over a period of time. The work, comprised of compelling journalistic content, and technical visual quality, was shot, edited, produced, and published by Kent.
While Kent is renowned as a media personality, content creator, and producer, she is also a celebrated national bestselling award-winning author and multiple international award-winning humanitarian who has used her success as a media entrepreneur to promote literacy, civic engagement, and charitable works. Kent continues to be a woman of prominence through her personal achievements and excellence in media; commitment to human rights and social justice issues; and contributions to the betterment of society.
"I am deeply humbled and grateful to receive such a prestigious award from one of the most respected journalism organizations in the country. To be recognized by my peers is an incredible honor and that makes this award very special," Kent said.
About the awards
The Sigma Delta Chi Awards date back to 1932, when the Society of Professional Journalists first honored six individuals for contributions to journalism. The current program began in 1939, when the organization awarded the first Distinguished Service Awards. These awards later became the Sigma Delta Chi Awards.Each year, the Society recognizes the best in professional journalism in categories covering print, radio, television, newsletters, art/graphics, online and research.
Other honorees this year include Reuters, The Associated Press, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Chronicle of Higher Education, PRI's The World, PBS NewsHour, NBC Nightly News, CBS News, Newsy, Nieman Reports, NPR, Fortune, and The New York Times.