By Bobby Ross Jr.

The Religion News Association presented its 2023 Awards for Excellence in Religion Reporting during a ceremony tonight at Columbia Journalism School in New York City.

I was honored to receive first place for Excellence in Religion News Analysis for stories I wrote last year for The Associated Press.

Congratulations to our Multimedia: Analysis award winners!

🏆 3rd Place – @kelsey_dallas at @Deseret

🏆 2nd Place – @jackmjenkins for work done at @RollingStone and @RNS

🏆 1st Place – @BobbyRoss for @AP pic.twitter.com/E1BPqwaEqv

— Religion News Association (@ReligionReport) November 6, 2023

This is a category won in previous years by The Washington Post, The Atlantic and CNN.

My winning portfolio:

• For tornado-ravaged churches, rebuilding means rethinking (reporting from Mayfield, Ky.): A half-dozen historic churches were destroyed or heavily damaged in this western Kentucky community. 

A deadly tornado plowed into six historic churches as it swept through a Kentucky town. As the rubble is cleared, it’s already apparent the congregations are unlikely to rebuild anything resembling their previous architectural glory. https://t.co/VEY8KTrVi5

— The Associated Press (@AP) January 28, 2022

• Amid crises, rural roots anchor Southern Baptists’ president (reporting from Farmersville, Texas): Small-town pastor and rancher Bart Barber elected to lead nation’s largest Protestant denomination. 

Bart Barber is a Texas rancher and small-town pastor. He’s also president of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest Protestant denomination in the U.S., as it copes with major challenges. https://t.co/OVn4Q4FGAK

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 2, 2022

• Bison’s relocation to Native lands revives a spiritual bond (reporting from Bull Hollow, Okla.): The Cherokee Nation is part of a nationwide resurgence of Indigenous people seeking to reconnect with the humpbacked, shaggy-haired animals.

"At one time there were millions of buffalo that roamed North America."

From South Dakota and Oklahoma to Alaska and Alberta, Indigenous groups in the U.S. and Canada are leading efforts to restore bison. https://t.co/xHX01M6Ffg pic.twitter.com/fpAuFEjxaE

— The Associated Press (@AP) November 22, 2022

I’ve earned five previous RNA awards — in 2013, 2015, 2019, 2021 and 2022 — and recognition as a finalist six other times.