Join the SPJ Virginia Pro Chapter on Thursday, Sept. 14, for a night of celebrating Hampton Roads journalist Don Roberts. The event will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Wilder Center at Norfolk State University (700 Park Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23504).
The event is free, but pre-registration is required. Please RSVP by Sept. 7.
About this event
Roberts is the 2022 recipient of the chapter’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his more than 40 years of work in the Hampton Roads TV and radio market.
Journalists and journalism students are welcome for a night of food and fun at Norfolk State University’s Wilder Center on Sept. 14 from 6:30-9 p.m. Please RSVP by Sept. 7. Dress is business casual.
Support generously provided by Norfolk State University, Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals, WAVY-TV 10, S.B. Ballard Construction and W.M. Jordan Construction.
About Don Roberts
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Don relocated to Hampton Roads in 1981 to accept a job with WAVY-TV 10 as a reporter. He would leave WAVY-TV 10 and work at WTKR-TV as well as several other outlets before returning to WAVY-TV for good in 1989 when he launched WAVY News 10 Today.
While he retired in September 2022, he still holds the record for the longest-tenured news anchor on a singular broadcast in Hampton Roads television history. For three decades, Don awoke before sunrise from his Newport News home to drive to Portsmouth to deliver the news, even the bad, with a smile and integrity.
Don has served as a role model and mentor for countless other up-and-coming broadcasters. Don took the time to spotlight our region’s children in foster care in a segment called “Wednesday’s Child.” Don introduced us all to children in foster care waiting for adoption and children hoping to be matched with adult volunteer mentors. On top of his duties on TV, Don made it his mission to try and disrupt the cycle of violence in our community by launching the Chess Nutz Knights Network in 2017.
Don has spent countless hours at Newport News Juvenile Services as well as the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office playing chess and mentoring incarcerated teens.
About SPJ and the Lifetime Achievement Award
The SPJ Virginia Pro Chapter is made up of print, broadcast and online journalists from across the state. We support the mission of our national organization by advocating for free speech, freedom of the press and the First Amendment; by providing financial support for college journalists; and by honoring people who have made outstanding contributions to Virginia journalism.
The Lifetime Achievement Award, previously named the George Mason Award, honors “a journalist or friend of journalism of exceptional character and dedication to the craft.”
Here is more information about the Lifetime Achievement Award, including a list of previous winners. We also have information on how to join or support the SPJ Virginia Pro Chapter.
SPJVA Today 