MŌRIAH to co-chair NAHJ’s 2026 Excelencia Awards
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists named Mexican-American recording artist, actress and producer MŌRIAH as co-chair of its third annual Excelencia Awards, set for Nov. 17 in New York City. The gala will raise money for scholarships, internships, mentorship and leadership programs for future Latino journalists.
Why it matters: - NAHJ’s Excelencia Awards are the organization’s main fundraising event for programs that support the next generation of Latino journalists. - The gala helps fund scholarships, internships, mentorship and leadership development, which can expand access to newsroom careers. - NAHJ also uses the event to reinforce its broader push for diverse newsrooms and a more representative press.
What happened: - NAHJ announced that MŌRIAH will co-chair the third annual NAHJ Excelencia Awards. - The black-tie gala is scheduled for Nov. 17, 2026, at 583 Park Avenue in New York City. - MŌRIAH is a Mexican-American recording artist, actress and producer. - NAHJ said MŌRIAH will also sponsor a scholarship through the Excelencia Awards. - The organization said more details about the scholarship will be announced in the coming weeks.
The details: - MŌRIAH described journalism and music as shared forms of storytelling and said she is proud to support NAHJ’s mission. - NAHJ Executive Director Yaneth Guillén-Díaz said MŌRIAH represents the values the Excelencia Awards stand for. - NAHJ said the gala honors individuals, corporations and organizations that invest in the future of journalism. - The event also raises money for hands-on training that NAHJ says gives young journalists the tools they need. - NAHJ plans to announce additional Excelencia co-chairs in the coming weeks. - The planning committee includes Alina Falcon, Antonio Mora, Claudio Cabrera, Denisse Oller, Ivette Rodriguez, Jose Cancela, Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Dunia Elvir, Jaime Cardenas, Jackie Padilla, Julio-Cesar Chavez and Nancy Preyor-Johnson. - Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at NAHJ’s Excelencia sponsors page.
Between the lines: - MŌRIAH’s involvement gives NAHJ a high-profile cultural figure with ties to music, television and film. - NAHJ is tying the gala to a bigger argument: newsroom diversity is not just a values issue, but a practical way to surface stories and voices that can be missed otherwise. - The organization’s mention of an endowment signals a long-term effort to make its programs more sustainable.
What’s next: - NAHJ will announce more Excelencia co-chairs in the coming weeks. - NAHJ said more information about MŌRIAH’s scholarship will follow. - The Excelencia Awards will take place Nov. 17 in New York City. - NAHJ will continue raising money to support scholarships, internships, mentorship and training programs for Latino journalists.
The bottom line: - NAHJ is using the 2026 Excelencia Awards to pair celebrity visibility with direct investment in Latino journalism pipelines.
Disclaimer: This article was produced by AGP Wire with the assistance of artificial intelligence based on original source content and has been refined to improve clarity, structure, and readability. This content is provided on an “as is” basis. While care has been taken in its preparation, it may contain inaccuracies or omissions, and readers should consult the original source and independently verify key information where appropriate. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, investment, or other professional advice.
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