A Charge for Journalists – Past, Present and Future

Local National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ (NAHJ) chapter salutes legends and awards scholarships

By Eva D. Coleman
Lifestyle & Culture Editor

“It’s never a good time to bow down to a tyrant,” longtime and revered journalist Jim Acosta said during his keynote address at the Hispanic Communicators DFW Voices Rising Scholarship Gala & Hall of Fame.

Nearly two hundred attendees gathered for the event on May 30, 2025 at the Oak Cliff Tower in Dallas as the local, professional Dallas-Fort Worth affiliate of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ) inducted members into its Hall of Fame and awarded $2500 scholarships to four college students.

Hall of Fame inductees were Alfredo Corchado, Yolette Garcia and Gary Piña.

Scholarship recipients were Katherine Clavijo of Texas Christian University and Tabitha Hidalgo, Alicia Robles and Alexis Rodriguez, all from the University of North Texas.

Additional honorees of the evening were former editor of the Dallas Morning News, Bob Mong, as recipient of the Champion Award and Cassandra Jaramillo receiving recognition for her recent Pulitzer Prize-winning work on fatal consequences of abortion bans.

Led by Hispanic Communicators DFW President Rebecca Lopez, the event began with a VIP reception followed by musical greetings from an area high school Mariachi band. After inductees, honorees and scholarship recipients were announced, Jim Acosta delivered a keynote address that received much applause for his remarks on the current state of journalism and standing up to protect the industry and its purpose. A lively raffle winner announcements and distribution took place afterwards to close out the evening.