Jasmyne Cannick's video: Jasmyne Cannick Receives First A M E s WMS Trailblazer Award

Jasmyne Cannick, well-known communications strategist, community advocate and journalist, received the Trailblazer award from the Women’s Missionary Society at First A.M.E. church Sunday, Mar. 31. Given out annually, the prestigious award is given to women who have made significant contributions to their community and nation. Cannick received the award for her exceptional work in politics and for her advocacy in advancing the voices, concerns and positions of Blacks on social justice issues including criminal justice reform, LGBTQ issues, housing, representation in the Democratic Party and homelessness. Known as the voice of the people, through her journalism and public speaking she is widely known and heralded for her coverage of the disappearance and death of Mitrice Richardson, Los Angeles law enforcement and most recently the drug overdose deaths of Gemmel Moore and Timothy Dean at Democratic donor Ed Buck’s apartment, Jasmyne continues to seek out untold stories and uncomfortable truths in an effort to give a voice to the voiceless. Upon receiving the award during, Cannick said, “If it hadn’t been for God’s grace and mercy and my grandparents--my grandmothers specifically--praying for me I would not be the person I am today.” She went on to thank her F.A.M.E. family including Sr. Pastor J, Edgar Boyd and First Lady Florence Miles-Boyd, her cousin and President of the F.A.M.E. Women’s Missionary Society Vivian Hines, her family and the community for allowing her to be of service and putting their trust in her to always do the right thing. Cannick added, “Having the community’s support and trust really drives the work that I do and I am both honored and humbled.”