Editorial note: The X1 Open Voice Honors were initially announced as a category-based recognition program with select public voting opportunities. Following the nomination and editorial review process, X1 Media refined the inaugural program into an editorial honors list highlighting creators, journalists, storytellers, and media organizations making a meaningful impact.
PHILADELPHIA (August, 3, 2026) — X1 Media is proud to reveal the inaugural 2026 Open Voice Honors, recognizing and celebrating independent creators, journalists, storytellers, and media organizations helping shape today’s media landscape.
The list below includes: Emerging Voice Honor, Media Organization Honor, and the Top 10 Open Voices List.
Honorees were nominated by supporters and selected through X1 Media’s editorial review process. The recipients were evaluated based on the quality and integrity of their work, digital presence, audience engagement, community impact, and contributions to media and storytelling.
The list is below. Read the original announcement: here.
2026 Emerging Voice Honor: Aayas Joshi
Aayas Joshi is a documentary filmmaker and cinematographer based in New York City. His stories focus on environmental storytelling and how communities are making a change with resilience and care. Joshi, who is a recent Class of 2026 graduate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, has produced multiple films that have been selected in film festivals across the United States, and has won awards including a two-time recipient of the White House News Photographers Association Student Videographer of the Year, and the 2026 Hearst National Multimedia Champion. Learn more: https://www.aayasdjoshi.com/
2026 Media Organization Honor: Onyx Impact
Onyx Impact is a nonprofit research and media organization that is dedicated to amplifying Black voices and protecting Black communities. The organization transforms research data into innovative technology that supports their greater mission. More recently, Onyx Impact launched their “Aisha” artificial intelligence app, which serves as a chat assistant that uses information grounded in Black history, culture and trusted sources. Learn more: https://onyximpact.org/
Top 10 Open Voice Honors (Listed in order alphabetically by first name)
Dan Horan, Digital Creator, @RealFallRisk
Dan Horan is a popular digital creator best known for his public telephone stand set-up around Philadelphia which invites people to walk up and leave a message. The project has created a space for people to feel comfortable sharing personal, funny, heartwarming, and motivational messages. His Instagram page has gathered more than 168,000 followers. Learn more: https://www.instagram.com/realfallrisk
Deb Freeman, Storyteller
From The Nomination Submission:
“Deb Freeman’s mission throughout her career has been to preserve, share and celebrate all of the historical events, people and things that have formed America’s food culture. To this end, she makes sure that the contribution of African-American chefs, farmers, home-cooks and their unique traditional cuisines are recognized, honored and preserved.” Read more: https://www.deb-freeman.com/about
Deja Jantel, Storyteller, Digital Creator
From Nominee Submission:
“Deja has a huge impact on the community, striving to tackle issues surrounding breaking generational curses, and opening the floor to conversations about healing and individuality; which are essential in today’s society. Through her recent book release titled, “Echoes Within,” she has given the community more insight into her life and encouraging readers to reflect on their own journeys. Read more: Deja Jantel Website
Drew Brown, Digital Creator
Drew Brown is a digital creator based in the Midwest. Brown, who is a former television news reporter, has capitalized and adapted to the new social form of storytelling and providing helpful tips in a unique way. Brown focuses mostly on lifestyle and beauty content, gathering more than 15,000 followers and generated more than 260,000 likes on TikTok. Learn more: https://www.drewbblog.com/
Ed Porter, Chef, Storyteller
From Nominee Submission:
“Chef Ed Porter connects people through food, music, and stories…This is reflected in Chef Ed’s documentary film “The Food That Fuels”, podcast, public speaking and culinary events; which are all ways he creates content that inspires people to see things in a new light when thinking about the source of their food and the people who have a hand in getting it to them.” Learn more: https://officialedporter.com/
Jose Antonio Vargas, Founder of Define American
Jose Antonio Vargas is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, author, filmmaker, and founder of Define American, a nonprofit organization that uses storytelling to humanize conversations surrounding immigration and identity. His work has focused on holding institutions accountable, advocating for systemic change, and amplifying diverse experiences. Learn more: https://defineamerican.com/
Natalie McLendon, Southwest Louisiana Investigative Reporter, The Current
Natalie McLendon is an investigative reporter covering Southwest Louisiana for The Current. Throughout her career, she has produced several accountability reporting pieces in which some has uncovered government overreach and highlighted issues that affect residents. McLendon also appeared on X1 Media/Arena Insider “The Turbulent Revival of the Arena Football League” documentary reporting on her exclusive findings that centered around alleged fraud and corruption. Read more: https://thecurrentla.com/author/natalie-mclendon/
Philip Lewis, National Deputy Editor at Huff Post & President of Washington Association of Black Journalists
Philip Lewis is the national deputy editor at the Huff Post and president of the Washington Association of Black Journalists. Lewis has become a trusted media source, building a platform that reaches millions of followers on social media. Lewis is also the creator of the award-winning newsletter, “What I’m Reading,” which highlights informative news stories about the Black experience in America – reaching a subscriber base of more than 42,000 people. Learn more: https://www.whatimreading.net
Shauntay Hallett, Founder of Short N Sweet Entertainment
Shauntay Hallett is the founder of Short N Sweet Entertainment based out of New York City. Hallett created a unique and dynamic storytelling platform in an era of vertical video, that highlights uplifting entertainment, sports and culture news around New York. She has covered many red carpet and sporting events, interviewing notable figures including Noah Lyles, Teyana Taylor, Morris Chestnut and more. Learn more: https://www.shortnsweetent.com/
Tasha McCaskiel, Founder of Black Girls in Media
Tasha McCaskiel is the founder of Black Girls in Media. She started the organization in 2018 after experiencing barriers in the media industry and recognizing the challenges women of color face obtaining and securing corporate roles and gaining valuable experience. Through networking events, professional development programs, and community-building initiatives, McCaskiel has created a supportive space that has helped members build relationships and pursue new career opportunities. https://www.blackgirlsinmediainc.com
The X1 Media Open Voice Honors reflect our commitment to recognizing community-centered storytelling, independent media, journalistic integrity, and voices contributing meaningfully to public conversation. Individual honoree spotlights will be shared across X1 Media’s digital platforms throughout the announcement rollout.
For more information or inquiries, contact: acarter@thexonemedia.com
