By Frank Macek
The NABJ conference, which runs August 6 through August 10, 2025, has transformed Cleveland into a hub of media excellence this week. Journalists, students, and leaders from across the country have gathered for workshops, panels, networking events, and a career fair that connects the next generation of reporters with some of the biggest names in news. The energy in the city has been electric, and the presence of so many trailblazing figures in Black journalism has brought a unique sense of purpose and inspiration to the event. For local journalists and newsrooms, hosting NABJ has been a chance to show off Cleveland’s journalistic tradition while also celebrating those who have helped shape it.
Among those figures, Leon Bibb stands apart. In 1977, he made history as the first Black television prime-time Monday–Friday news anchor in Ohio, working in Columbus, and just the ninth such anchor in the United States. It was a groundbreaking achievement at a time when representation in broadcast journalism was still severely limited. Bibb’s presence at the anchor desk was more than a personal accomplishment—it was a statement to viewers that television news could and should reflect the communities it serves. Over the years, he built a reputation for warmth, authority, and an unshakable commitment to telling the truth, whether the story unfolded in a neighborhood down the street or in a far-off corner of the world.
Bibb’s list of career achievements is long and distinguished. He has won ten local Emmy Awards, recognition from his peers for work that consistently demonstrated both skill and integrity. His assignments have taken him to places most journalists only dream of. He has interviewed Presidents Barack Obama and George H.W. Bush, delved into the experiences of astronaut Neil Armstrong, sat across from convicted assassin James Earl Ray, and spoken with U.S. Army Brigadier General Paul W. Tibbets, the pilot of the Enola Gay. These encounters are not just bullet points on a résumé; they are moments in which Bibb brought viewers closer to history through the lens of his thoughtful questions and measured delivery.
Today’s Hall of Fame luncheon was a celebration of that lifetime of work. The ballroom was filled with colleagues, protégés, and admirers—some who had worked with him directly, others who had simply been inspired by watching him on television over the years. When Bibb took the stage to accept his honor, the audience rose to its feet in a sustained ovation. For many in attendance, it was not just the acknowledgment of a career, but a recognition of the pathways Bibb helped clear. His induction placed him among an impressive roster of this year’s honorees, including Callie Crossley, Pam Moore, Gregory L. Moore, Leon H. Carter, Cecil Williams, Bob Reid, and fellow Clevelander Wayne Dawson. The company was illustrious, but Bibb’s presence in it felt entirely natural.
What made the moment even more special was that it happened here, during a conference being hosted in Cleveland. The city has a long and proud journalistic tradition, and for a week, it has been at the center of a national conversation about the state and future of Black media. From panel discussions on newsroom diversity to workshops on digital storytelling, the NABJ conference has been a showcase for both emerging talent and seasoned professionals. Local pride has been evident, and Bibb’s honor has amplified it. Social media posts from community leaders, journalists, and fans poured in throughout the day, congratulating him and reflecting on the impact he has had on Cleveland and beyond.
For the attendees, particularly young journalists, Bibb’s story serves as a blueprint. His journey is proof that breaking barriers requires both talent and persistence. It is a reminder that representation matters, not only because it opens doors for those who follow, but because it enriches the stories told to the public. In an industry where trust is everything, Bibb earned it through decades of steady, reliable reporting and a personal style that made viewers feel they were hearing from a neighbor. The Hall of Fame induction is a capstone to that legacy, but it also serves as a challenge to those in the room: to carry forward the same standards of excellence, fairness, and fearlessness.
As the applause faded and the luncheon continued, the conversations about Bibb’s career spilled into the hallways, into networking sessions, and even into the casual coffee-shop meet-ups that are part of any convention. His impact was not just in the stories he told, but in the way he has mentored and encouraged others. Colleagues recall his willingness to offer guidance, his openness to share hard-earned wisdom, and his belief that journalism is both a craft and a calling. Those values are as relevant today as they were when he first took a seat at the anchor desk nearly half a century ago.
The NABJ conference continues through Sunday, but it is hard to imagine a moment that will resonate more deeply than today’s ceremony. For Cleveland, it was a celebration of one of its own—a journalist whose career has been intertwined with the city’s modern history. For NABJ, it was the recognition of a pioneer whose work embodies the organization’s mission to honor excellence and promote diversity in media. And for Leon Bibb, it was a well-earned acknowledgment that his life’s work has mattered, not just to the viewers who welcomed him into their homes each night, but to the profession as a whole.
In the years to come, the names of Hall of Fame inductees will grow, but the class of 2025 will always hold a special place for Clevelanders. And among them, Leon Bibb’s name will stand as a testament to what can be achieved when talent meets opportunity, and when a journalist never loses sight of the responsibility that comes with telling the world’s stories. Today, his story became part of the NABJ’s history—and, fittingly, it was told in the city where it began.