Jonathan Capehart is a successful journalist. The entire editorial team of the Daily News was awarded the Pulitzer in 1999, but Mr. Capehart is credited for leading the intense investigation of fraud and mismanagement of Harlem's Apollo Theatre. His investigation culminated into a series of editorials that showcased his skills as a world-class reporter and journalist. This series did not, however, lead to the indictment of anyone accused. Mr. Capehart has sat on and chaired a variety of panels for organizations including Empire State Pride Agenda, PrideFest and the The National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. Now Mr. Capehart is busy campaigning for Michael Bloomberg's run for the Mayor's office. He also happens to be Black and gay.
The Angel Awards were created in 1995 in honor of GMAD's founder, Rev. Charles Angel. This award was developed to recognize people who make a difference in the Black gay community – people who enact GMAD's mission of empowering Black gay men through education, social support, political advocacy and health & wellness promotion. Since the first Angel Awards in 1996, the list of those awarded constitutes a veritable Who's Who of the Black gay community – a list that includes notables such as former Treasurer and Executive Director Kevin McGruder, famed author E. Lynn Harris, Dr. Marjorie Hill and community activists Cleo Manago and George Bellinger, Jr.
Why does Jonathan Capehart deserve an Angel Award? Is he well known in our community for a record of public service? Has he represented and/or advocated for Black gay men in any of the various articles he's written for the Daily News or Bloomberg? Does his success as a Pulitzer-winning journalist guarantee his Angel Award simply because he happens to be Black and gay?
How was Jonathan Capehart selected to receive an Angel Award? I sit on the committee for the Angel Awards. Usually GMAD members select Angel Award recipients by suggesting potential names to the Board of Directors. This year, however, the committee has been charged with selecting potential award recipients in the interest of time. We discussed and submitted names of individuals to the committee's chair, current Development Director, Earl Plante. Mr. Plante returned to a subsequent meeting with hierarchal lists of potential Angel Award recipients, categorized by the components of GMAD's mission statement. None of the committee's submissions headed any of those lists and many names were added to these lists that the committee didn't submit, including Jonathan Capehart's. We also discussed recognizing other organizations with an Angel Award. After much discussion, we almost unanimously chose to recognize Adodi – an organization that is synonymous with nurturing the spirituality of Black gay men. Earl Plante informed us that the current Executive Director, William Peters met this idea with extreme objection. Mr. Peters has not attended a single committee meeting. This seems to have been rectified (Adodi will receive an Angel Award), but what remains unclear is the protocol for selecting and approving these awards – who is responsible for this? It is false to assume that all these recipients have received the committee's imprimatur. This begs a larger question: Is the Angel Awards committee charged with officially approving these recipients?
Jonathan Capehart's successful career precedes him, however, that in and of itself does not merit an Angel Award. At this year's 10th Annual Fashion Show, Ademola Mandella received the Lifetime Achievement Award and touched upon how important and powerful it is for us to be able to recognize and award those that represent us. Let us not misconstrue award-winning journalism with award-winning public service and advocacy.
