Jasmyne Cannick, well-known communications strategist, community advocate and journalist, received the Trailblazer Award from First AME Church Women’s Missionary Society on March 31.
The annual award is presented to women who have made significant contributions to their community and nation.
Cannick received the honor for her exceptional work in politics and for her advocacy in advancing the voices, concerns and positions of Blacks in regards to social justice issues including criminal justice reform, LGBTQ issues, housing, Democratic Party representation and homelessness.
Through her journalism and public speaking, Cannick is widely known and heralded for her coverage of the disappearance and death of Mitrice Richardson, Los Angeles law enforcement and most recently, the drug overdose deaths of Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean at Democratic donor Ed Buck’s apartment.
According to a church member, “Jasmyne continues to seek out untold stories and uncomfortable truths in an effort to give a voice to the voiceless.”
Upon receiving the award, Cannick said, “If it hadn’t been for God’s grace and mercy and my grandparents — my grandmothers specifically — praying for me, I would not be the person I am today.”
She went on to thank her FAME family including Pastor J. Edgar Boyd and First Lady Florence Miles-Boyd, her cousin and WMS president Vivian Hines, her family and the community for allowing her to be of service and putting their trust in her to always do the right thing.
Cannick added, “Having the community’s support and trust really drives the work that I do and I am both honored and humbled.”
