Religion News Service (RNS) congratulates our colleague Adelle Banks for receiving the 2024 William A. Reed Lifetime Achievement Award at the Religion News Association’s 75th Anniversary Annual Conference which takes place from April 18–20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, PA. Created in 2001, this annual prize is named for William A. Reed, the first Black president of RNA who served from 1976-78. Reed was the first Black journalist to work full time for The Tennessean in Nashville, and one of the first Black reporters on the religion beat. Reed died in 1991.
Adelle is being honored for her long-term commitment to RNA and service to its members. She also is being honored for her contributions to the beat. Before joining RNS in 1995, she worked at the Orlando Sentinel, Providence Journal, Syracuse Herald-Journal, and Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin.
We are proud to call Adelle our colleague and honor her for her profound contributions to RNS for almost three decades:
“Adelle is not only our longest-tenured reporter, but she is also one of the great deans of religion writers. As we celebrate Adelle’s extraordinary career, we also celebrate the impact she has made on religion journalism. Over four decades, Adelle has interviewed celebrities such as Desmond Tutu, Jerry Falwell, and Jesse Jackson. And she’s chronicled the diverse tapestry of American religion, telling stories of everyday people and their faith. Beloved by her peers and respected by her sources, Adelle is a treasured member of the RNS team,” said Deborah Caldwell, RNF/S CEO and Publisher
The entire RNS team applauds Adelle as a great journalist, generous and treasured colleague, consummate professional, and an RNS institution.
“Adelle is the first lady of RNS, not only because, with almost 30 years of service, she was here before any of us: To her colleagues, Adelle is a constant source of encouragement and care; to the public, she acts as an ambassador and a guardian of the legacy of the organization. I hardly need add that she is an exemplary journalist who helps us maintain our high standards. We’re so proud of her, but more, we’re grateful to have her as a colleague,” said Paul O’Donnell, RNS Editor-in-chief.
Thank you Adelle!
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