Yikes! Sports analyst and political commentator Stephen A. Smith has issued a stark warning to the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) after the organization gave him the “Thumbs Down” Award for his “public commentary on prominent Black women.”
As we previously shared, on Saturday, the NABJ hosted a live taping of its Salute to Excellence Awards Gala during its 2026 convention. The “Thumbs Down” Award is issued annually during the NABJ’s convention. It recognizes individuals or entities whose actions are counterproductive to the NABJ mission.
This year’s recipient was Stephen A. Smith. The recognition arrived a few years of after the NABJ previously featured Smith and ESPN’s ‘First Take.’
In 2024, Smith took to his ‘First Take’ show to broadcast live from the NABJ convention in Chicago. After cutting his vacation time short to attend the event, he praised the organization. He said:
“You come to a place like the National Association of Black Journalists conference and you’re reminded of what togetherness is all about. How there’s strength in numbers and unity.”
Then in 2025, ‘First Take’ returned for a live taping during the NABJ’s convention in Cleveland.
Stephen A. Smith Responds To NABJ Giving Him ‘Thumbs Down’ Award For ‘Reocurring Disparaging Attacks On Prominent Black Woman’
After two years of standing with Stephen A. Smith, the NABJ took a different stance. On Saturday (August 15), the NABJ honored Smith with the “Thumbs Down” Award. In a package for the award, it said:
“Stephen A. Smith has established a reoccurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent Black women across politics, sports, and media. Such commentary reinforces harmful narratives, undermines the fair and respectful representation of Black women in public discourse, and stands in direct conflict with NABJ’s longstanding commitment to accurate, responsible, and inclusive portrayals of Black communities.”
Hours after the award package went viral, Smith took to X and issued a scathing warning to the NABJ. He fired off:
“This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early. The @NABJ wants to call folks out, fine! You had your turn, now mine is coming. And make no mistake…..,l’m coming. Let’s see who REALLY deserves a Thumbs Down award when it comes to the Black Community, after l say my peace! Remember @NABJ, you asked for it. I’ve shut my mouth for years. Now y’all started something.”
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