The regional award celebrates outstanding journalism in Arkansas and six neighboring states.

By Bobby Ross Jr.

I was honored to win the 2025 Diamond Journalist of the Year award from the Arkansas professional chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

The regional Diamond Journalism Awards celebrate outstanding journalism in Arkansas and six neighboring states, including Oklahoma, where The Christian Chronicle is based. Winners were announced July 26 at an awards banquet in Little Rock.

I was recognized for a portfolio of seven stories published during the 2024 calendar year:

1. “Culture warrior, MAGA champion, Church of Christ member: Who is Ryan Walters?” from Oklahoma City.

2. “Christians cheer the Chiefs, fight the violence” from Kansas City, Mo.

3. “ACU rebuffs the left and the right in reaffirming its sexual stewardship policy” from Abilene, Texas.

4. “In presidential election, many Christian voters split along racial lines” from Carson, Calif.

5. “No phones allowed, but machetes OK: Global program aims to build teens’ faith” from Port Vila, Vanuatu.

6. “These Christians not afraid to address sexual trauma” from Lubbock, Texas.

7. “Momma, I can see Jesus” from Cookeville, Tenn.

Besides the top prize, I was blessed to be a part of two teams that received first-place awards:

• First Place, Religion Reporting (with Erik Tryggestad and Ted Parks), for “Ukraine war coverage,” including my story “Ukraine refugees prepare a special feast to show gratitude to Texas Christians” from Houston.

• First Place, Continuing Coverage (with Cheryl Mann Bacon and Calvin Cockrell), for “Special project: Reading, ’riting … religion.”