Gayle King to be honored with Journalist Icon Award at Byron Allen's post WHCD gala

CBS News’ Gayle King is set to receive the Journalist Icon Award at Byron Allen Presents the Washington D.C. Gala, theGrio announced Tuesday. The gala will take place following the White House Correspondents’ Dinner Saturday.

“Gayle's doing a great job and has done so for many years,” Allen told USA TODAY. “She has had an impeccable career and continues to have one. She is someone we are happy to celebrate and amplify.”

Roy Wood, Jr. host of the 2023 White House Correspondents’ Dinner will also be hosting Allen’s Washington, D.C. Gala, which will include a concert by Diana Ross.

What is the Journalist Icon Award?

King is a co-host of CBS Mornings and has worked as a television journalist for many years, interviewing top newsmakers and delivering original reporting to all CBS News broadcasts and platforms. She is also editor-in-large of the award-winning O, the Oprah Magazine.

King has received numerous awards for her extensive work as a journalist, including three Emmys. She was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2019 was selected for Time Magazine's annual list of the hundred most influential people in the world.

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Last week, CNN confirmed that King will join forces with Charles Barkley to co-host “King Charles,” a weekly show on the cable news network that will air in fall 2023.

The Journalist Icon Award recognizes contributions to the field of journalism and her impact on the African American community.

The Award is presented by theGrio. Allen’s Allen Media Group acquired theGrio in 2016, making it a news and social media source focused on African Americans that is also 100% African American owned.

What is the Byron Allen Presents The Washington D.C. Gala?

The gala is a star-studded reception featuring A-list guests and politicos, including media mogul Allen, members of the Congressional Black Caucus, theGrio hosts and reporters, as well as numerous other media commentators, journalists, entertainers, and celebrities from television, music, sports, and film.

The event is returning for its second year. The 2022 gala honored April Ryan’s nearly three-decade career covering the White House and featured comedian Chris Tucker and a musical concert by Mary J. Blige.

More: Roy Wood Jr. of 'The Daily Show' to headline 2023 White House Correspondents' Dinner

The gala will take place at The Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History & Culture in Washington, D.C.

What is the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner?

The White House Correspondents' Association Dinner is an annual event held in Washington, D.C., that brings together members of the press, politicians, and celebrities. The dinner is a chance for the media to honor and celebrate the work of journalists who cover the White House.

The event is typically attended by the President and First Lady, as well as other high-profile politicians and journalists.

Roy Wood Jr., who plays a reporter on “The Daily Show,” the long-running Comedy Central program that blends comedy and news, will headline the event on April 29.

The show’s former host Trevor Noah spoke at last year’s dinner, which returned after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic.

President Joe Biden was also the first president in six years to accept The White House Correspondents' Associations invitation after Donald Trump repeatedly declined while in office.

What is the significance of hosting the Gala at The Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History & Culture?

The Gala will take place at The Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History & Culture, a museum that tells the story of African American history, culture, and community in the United States.

The museum is an important cultural institution that highlights the contributions of African Americans to American history and society.

TheGrio Television Network is a platform that features African American-focused news, lifestyle, and entertainment content. A one-hour television special entitled "The Washington, D.C. Gala," featuring interviews of today's leading political voices, power players, and celebrities, will capture the best moments of the Gala.

The special will air on theGrio Television Network and other platforms on May 1, 2023.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gayle King set to receive journalism Icon Award WCHD weekend