Hy-Lo News founder and publisher Janey Tate was honored with the Jason Jenkins Community Partnership Award during the 2026 National Association of Black Journalists South Florida Scholarship and Awards Dinner.
The ceremony, held Sept. 19 at the Miramar Cultural Center, recognized Tate for her work building a Black-owned hyperlocal news platform and expanding access to election coverage for South Florida communities.
During her acceptance speech, Tate reflected on how her connection to NABJ South Florida began while she was a student at Florida International University.
“I started my career in journalism in this chapter as an intern when I was at FIU,” Tate said. “I interned at the Miami Herald and CBS4, and this is where I found my tribe. This is where I found people who looked like me, who appreciated me, who supported me.”
Tate also recognized the legacy of Jason Jenkins, the late Miami Dolphins executive and community leader for whom the award is named.
“He was a kind man, a giving man and a pillar in our community,” Tate said. “To be honored in his name and his legacy is even more amazing.”
A Miami Gardens native and FIU graduate, Tate began her journalism career through internships with the Miami Herald and CBS News Miami. She later worked as a general assignment reporter for the Bradenton Herald and contributed to several South Florida publications, including the Miami Times, MIA Magazine and the Westside Gazette.
Tate launched Hy-Lo News in 2015 after growing frustrated with the lack of consistent and meaningful coverage of South Florida’s Black communities. What began as a Facebook-based blog eventually developed into a digital news outlet covering local politics, business, culture and issues affecting Black and brown millennials.
“It started with just me doing this by myself in my apartment, and our team has grown to more than seven members and various freelancers,” Tate said.
Tate said Hy-Lo News’ coverage of the 2026 primary election was among the work that led to her recognition. The outlet produced more than 50 pieces of election-related content, including candidate interviews, articles, live conversations and social media posts.
For Tate, the goal was to give candidates in less-publicized races an opportunity to speak directly to the communities they hoped to represent.
“It was so important to be able to tell the stories, especially for candidates who aren’t in popular races,” Tate said. “The candidates came on, and they spoke to the community and told them why they deserved their vote.”
Hy-Lo News interviewed candidates running for offices ranging from city council and school board to congressional seats. Tate said long-form conversations allowed the outlet’s audience to hear directly from candidates who may not receive extensive television or newspaper coverage.
“I was like, ‘We’re going to set a record,’” Tate said. “I’m going to do as many interviews, as many articles and as many social media posts as possible to share these stories and give this to as many people as possible.”
During her speech, Tate thanked the candidates who recognized the value of local media, as well as Hy-Lo News’ audience, supporters, advertisers and grant funders.
“I want to say thank you to the Hy-Lo News audience for watching and valuing hyperlocal news, Black-owned news, woman-owned news and Carol City-bred news,” Tate said.
She also thanked the Hy-Lo News team for helping her expand a vision that began as a one-woman operation. Tate recognized members of her editorial staff and the freelancers who have contributed to the outlet’s growing coverage.
The award represents more than a decade of work dedicated to creating space for stories that may otherwise go untold. It also reflects Hy-Lo News’ growing role within South Florida’s media landscape and its commitment to ensuring the Black community is seen, heard and accurately represented.
“You guys have no idea what this means to me,” Tate said. “I will always love and champion this chapter. It is the best chapter in the country.”
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