FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DIVERSITY NEWS MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES THE OFFICIAL WINNERS OF THE 1ST ANNUAL DIVERSITY NEWS MAGAZINE AWARDS 2026
Award recipients recognized for excellence in media, entertainment, performing arts, music, community impact, fashion, and creative achievement
Official Announcement Date: August 25, 2026
Awards Ceremony: Saturday, August 22, 2026
Barnsdall Gallery Theatre • Hollywood, California
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA — August 25, 2026 — Diversity News Magazine proudly announces the official award recipients and honorees of the 1st Annual Diversity News Magazine Awards 2026, held Saturday, August 22, 2026, at the Barnsdall Gallery Theatre in Hollywood, California.
The inaugural awards celebration brought together accomplished individuals, organizations, artists, media professionals, entertainers, community leaders, designers, and creative visionaries whose work represents the spirit of diversity, excellence, inclusion, leadership, creativity, and positive social impact.
The awards recognize outstanding achievements across a broad range of industries and disciplines, celebrating individuals and organizations whose contributions help inspire, empower, and bring communities together.
Diversity News Magazine is pleased to officially publish the following list of 2026 award recipients.
🏆 OFFICIAL 2026 AWARD RECIPIENTS
CATEGORY 1 — MEDIA, JOURNALISM & COMMUNICATIONS
May Goldi
🏆 Diversity Champion in Media
Samantha Ofole-Prince
🏆 Outstanding Independent Journalist
Joy Marivic
🏆 Excellence in Digital Storytelling
Naiia Lajoie
🏆 Reporter of the Year
Rose Ronterazo – Roselle Azucena Photography
🏆 Photographer of the Year
Eddie Barber
🏆 Videographer of the Year — Tie
Francois Palais
🏆 Videographer of the Year — Tie
Lilly Melgar
🏆 Host of the Year
Nancy Salim
🏆 Media Personality of the Year
Dawna Lee Heising
🏆 Magazine Cover Feature of the Year
Lourdes Duque Baron
🏆 Magazine Cover Feature of the Year — Tie
Ly French – Porter Ranch Living
🏆 Magazine / Newspaper Publication of the Year
Preity Üpala
🏆 Podcast / Digital Media Program of the Year
Desiree Townsend
🏆 Breakthrough Community Reporter
CATEGORY 2 — FILM, TELEVISION & ENTERTAINMENT
Clinton H. Wallace
🏆 Lifetime Achievement in Photojournalism
Russ Emanuel
🏆 Trailblazer in Film or Television
Joseph Williamson
🏆 Producer of the Year
Virgelia Villegas – Virgelia Productions
🏆 Entertainment Diversity Leadership Award
Cheryll Klein
🏆 International Artist of the Year
93rd Hollywood Christmas Parade 2025 (ATI)
🏆 Entertainment Excellence Award
Alicia Benavides – MIXED NUTS TV Comedy Series
🏆 Best Independent TV Project
CATEGORY 3 — ACTING, VOICEOVER & PERFORMING ARTS
Dawna Lee Heising
🏆 Actress of the Year
Kate Linder
🏆 Legendary Actress of the Year
Vida Ghaffari
🏆 Voiceover Artist of the Year — Tie
FAWN
🏆 Voiceover Artist of the Year — Tie
FAWN
🏆 Performer of the Year — Music or Acting — Tie
Malou Zagala Toler
🏆 Performer of the Year — Music or Acting — Tie
Toni Hudson
🏆 Lifetime Achievement in the Arts
CATEGORY 4 — MUSIC & RECORDING ARTS
Taylor Dayne (Leslie Wunderman)
🏆 Music Artist of the Year — Tie
Malou Zagala Toler
🏆 Music Artist of the Year — Tie
Lourdes Duque Baron – “Me and Mr. Jones (feat. Aknu)”
🏆 Music Excellence Recognition
CATEGORY 5 — COMMUNITY, HUMANITARIAN & SOCIAL IMPACT
Thushari Jayasekera
🏆 Influencer for Social Change
Sweet Water WeHo – Berni (Bernadette) Gambino
🏆 Community Advocate of the Year
Dr. Consuelo Tolentino Rivera
🏆 Diversity & Inclusion Innovator
SAMAAN CARINO FOUNDATION – Rose Ronterazo
🏆 Outreach Achievement Award
Jartu Mariam McConnell – Sensee Foundation of Hope Inc.
🏆 Humanitarian of the Year
CATEGORY 6 — FASHION, MODELING & DESIGN
Helay Ayoub – Kandahar Market
🏆 Designer of the Year — Diversity Focused
Russ Emanuel
🏆 Inclusive Fashion Innovator
Kimmarie Johnson
🏆 Model of the Year — Diversity Champion
Kimmarie Johnson
🏆 Fashion Visionary Award — Tie
Sue Wong
🏆 Fashion Visionary Award — Tie
Hasty Stella Poya
🏆 Rising Female Model of the Year
CATEGORY 7 — FILM TRAILERS & SPECIAL CREATIVE RECOGNITION
Clinton H. Wallace – “ALL FOR NOW” Official Trailer
🏆 Film Trailer Spotlight Award
Russ Emanuel – “Staycation” Feature Film
🏆 Film Trailer Excellence Recognition
🏆 AWARD RECIPIENTS UNABLE TO ATTEND
We understand that some of our 2026 award recipients were unable to attend the 1st Annual Diversity News Magazine Awards in person.
For recipients who were unable to attend and would like to have their award trophy mailed to them, please contact the Diversity News Magazine Awards team at:
📧 diversitynewsmagazineawards@gmail.com
Please include your full name, award category, and preferred mailing information in your email so we can assist you with the arrangements.
We are honored to celebrate each of our award recipients, whether they were able to join us in person or celebrated with us from afar.
🏆 Congratulations once again to all of our 2026 award recipients!
👑 DIVERSITY PAGEANTS USA
OFFICIAL 2026 QUEENS
The 1st Annual Diversity News Magazine Awards 2026 also featured the official crowning of four Diversity Pageants USA queens.
👑 NANCY SALIM
Mrs. Diversity News USA 2026
👑 DAWNA LEE HEISING
Mrs. Diversity USA 2026
👑 H.E. DR. NATHALIE BEASNAEL
Mrs. Diversity America USA 2026
👑 HASTY STELLA POYA
Little Miss Afghanistan USA 2026
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY. HONORING EXCELLENCE.
The Diversity News Magazine Awards were established to recognize individuals and organizations whose accomplishments and contributions reflect the power of diversity and the importance of representation.
From journalism and entertainment to the performing arts, music, fashion, humanitarian service, community advocacy, and creative expression, the 2026 recipients represent a wide range of talent and achievement.
The inaugural ceremony provided an opportunity to celebrate those who are making an impact in their industries while inspiring others to pursue their own goals and make a positive difference.
Diversity News Magazine extends its sincere congratulations to all of the 2026 award recipients and honorees.
🏆 CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 AWARD RECIPIENTS!
Your achievements, dedication, creativity, leadership, and service are worthy of recognition.
Diversity News Magazine is honored to celebrate your accomplishments and to share your stories with our readers and communities.
Congratulations to the inaugural recipients of the Diversity News Magazine Awards 2026!
ABOUT DIVERSITY NEWS MAGAZINE
Diversity News Magazine celebrates people, stories, achievements, and communities that reflect the richness and strength of diversity.
Through its media platforms and special events, Diversity News Magazine provides a platform for individuals and organizations making a difference in entertainment, media, business, fashion, community service, humanitarian work, and beyond.
The 1st Annual Diversity News Magazine Awards represents another chapter in that mission — bringing people together to celebrate accomplishments, recognize excellence, and inspire positive change. For information visit https://diversitynewsmagazineawards.com/
1ST ANNUAL DIVERSITY NEWS MAGAZINE AWARDS 2026
Official Announcement Date: August 25, 2026
Awards Ceremony: August 22, 2026
Venue: Barnsdall Gallery Theatre
Hollywood, California