Germany Kent Wins Elite National Media Award | PEOPLE

LOS ANGELES - Germany Kent has received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award in recognition of distinguished service to the American people and the profession of journalism through outstanding accomplishments in the field of Independent Online Deadline Reporting from the Society of Professional Journalists. Kent's win marks the first time that an African American woman has won in this field.

The Sigma Delta Chi Awards recognize the best in professional journalism in categories covering television, radio, print, art/graphics, newsletters, online and research. The awards date back to the 1930s when the Society first honored six individuals for contributions to journalism. Since that time, the awards have become some of the most prestigious and coveted awards given to journalists.

The annual awards are open to any U.S. or international media news outlet and recognize outstanding work that is published or broadcast. This year, SPJ says 77 honorees were determined from more than 1,300 submissions.

Kent's national award-winning work titled "Tragedy in Thousand Oaks" is a compilation of coverage following the aftermath of the Borderline Bar & Grill massacre last fall in Thousand Oaks that killed twelve people, including many college students and a Ventura County Sheriff's Sergeant.

Kent's coverage of one of the region's biggest stories of the year typified her interest in under-reported stories about mass murders and brought attention to the controversial issue of gun violence. The work is dedicated to mass shooting victims worldwide and to advancing the knowledge of mass shootings. The aspects of value to the viewer is showcased through in-depth content with on the scene reporting over a period of time. The work is comprised of compelling journalistic content and technical visual quality filmed, edited, produced, and published by Kent.

The tragedy in Thousand Oaks made national headlines as the 307th mass murder of 2018. This year, coverage of the events that unfolded in the wake of the tragedy yielded some of the most awarded stories by SPJ.

Los Angeles' major reporting authority The Los Angeles Times was awarded in the same field as Kent for Online Deadline Reporting. The Times won as the affiliate news outlet for their report, "Gunfire and Flames in California," which also provided coverage of the Thousand Oaks mass shooting.

Other award winners this year include The New York Times, The Washington Post, PRI's The World, NPR, PBS NewsHour, Nieman Reports, Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, Reuters, NBC Nightly News, CBS News, The Boston Globe, and The Associated Press.

As a much sought-after emcee, motivational speaker, and panelist, Kent, who is also a nationally-recognized social media marketing influencer, mentors others and promotes positive communication in media ethics as an expert and activist speaking out against bullying and cyberbullying.

Throughout her journalism career, Kent has consistently produced quality content. Her writing is syndicated nationally and cited in hundreds of publications. Kent's work has been featured in a variety of popular media outlets such as Bloomberg, Yahoo! News, Forbes, MSN, The Examiner, The Dallas Morning News, Fast Company, and Inc. Magazine.

Kent has a long-established reputation for excellence across a wide range of industries. She has reported in Los Angeles since 2011. During this time as a freelance producer and correspondent, Kent has built an impressive portfolio consisting of hundreds of interviews with prominent individuals including celebrities, politicians, sports moguls, and newsmakers, in addition to production work in the entertainment industry.

The media personality divides her time as an actress and has starred in numerous national commercials. appeared in various films, music videos, and primetime television shows, and holds industry credits as a writer, producer, and executive producer.

Kent is also an acclaimed author. Her latest book, "You Are What You Tweet," is a national and international award-winner and a national bestseller. She has been awarded several Lifetime Achievement honors for her accomplishment in media mentoring and encouraging future generations of reporters. The veteran journalist is also an international award-winning humanitarian.

Kent accepted her award in Washington, D.C. among elite journalists representing some of the most respected news outlets from around the country. The high-profile ceremony, hosted by NBC News chief White House correspondent Hallie Jackson, was held at the National Press Club.

"I am deeply humbled and grateful to receive such a prestigious award from one of the most respected journalism organizations in the country. To be recognized by my peers is an incredible honor and that makes this award very special," Kent said.