Stephen A Smith Was Called Racist on a Convention Stage and His Response Just Ended the Debate

August 21, 2026 Cat2, The Media
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A narrator read it aloud at a gala in Atlanta Saturday night.

They put Stephen A Smith's name on a screen and accused him of racism against black women.

And Stephen Smith just made the journalists group regret every word of it.

What the NABJ Actually Did

The National Association of Black Journalists handed out five "Thumbs Down" awards at its annual Atlanta convention Saturday night – a record number in the organization's history.

One name on that list lit the room on fire: Stephen A. Smith.

The group accused Smith of a "recurring public pattern of disparaging commentary directed at prominent black women across politics, sports, and media."

The award is officially for conduct the NABJ considers "especially insensitive, racist or stereotypical" toward the black community.

Let that sit for a second.

This is a man who was raised by black women – four older sisters, two daughters, ten nieces – who dedicated his entire career to black media, who broadcast ESPN's First Take live from NABJ's own convention floor in 2024, and who championed black journalists for 30 years.

That man.

Smith fired back on X immediately: "This is the epitome of Christmas arriving early. The @NABJ wants to call folks out, fine! You had your turn, now mine is coming."

He wasn't done.

"Let's see who REALLY deserves a Thumbs Down award when it comes to the Black Community, after I say my peace! Remember @NABJ, you asked for it. I've shut my mouth for years. Now y'all started something," he added.

The Real Story Behind This Hit Job

Here's what this is actually about.

Stephen A. Smith is a registered independent who runs Straight Shooter with Stephen A. on SiriusXM – 60 guests in, 30 Republicans and 30 Democrats.

He criticized Rep. Jasmine Crockett for using what he called "street verbiage" on Capitol Hill, saying it was beneath her office.

He pushed back on Michelle Obama when she told voters a vote for Trump was a vote against "us."

He went on Fox News, appeared with Sean Hannity, talked to Ben Shapiro, and hosted Candace Owens.

For the radical Left, that's an unforgivable crime.

Smith named it plainly on Hannity Monday night: these are people who demand complete ideological submission or you're the enemy.

He's right.

And the NABJ board members just proved it.

MSNBC had already labeled Smith a "megaphone for MAGA propaganda" for the crime of interviewing people on both sides.

The left has a term for black Americans who won't fall in line. Smith just found out what happens when you refuse to play by their rules.

The NABJ's Own Glass House

Smith said Monday he planned to scrutinize NABJ's own record – and he has plenty of material.

The same organization that just called Smith harmful to black women invited Donald Trump to its 2024 Chicago convention and triggered a meltdown inside its own membership.

The same organization watched Disney – ESPN's parent company and an NABJ corporate partner – gut over 1,000 newsroom jobs in 2026, carving through ABC News and National Geographic. NABJ said nothing.

The same organization gave Smith a public humiliation on a convention stage, then NABJ president Errin Haines quietly reached out through a representative asking to start with a private dialogue rather than face Smith's open challenge on air.

Smith had invited her onto his platform.

She declined a public conversation.

That tells you everything.

He Is Not Backing Up One Inch

He's done one media appearance after another this week making the same point.

He told Hannity directly: "I don't back up and nobody's going to intimidate me from being who I am."

This is a man who has been approached by governors and elected officials about a presidential run – and who has built one of the largest independent media platforms in the country.

The NABJ board handed him the one thing you should never give a man like Stephen A. Smith: a reason to go full volume.

They gave him a cause.

They handed him an enemy.

They created the story.

And now he's coming.

Sources:

  • Jeff Poor, "Stephen A. Smith on Black Journalists Org's 'Thumbs Down' Dishonor: 'All They've Done Is Stirred Me Up,'" Breitbart, August 18, 2026.
  • "Stephen A. Smith Vows to Confront NABJ After Thumbs Down Award Insult," Fox News, August 16, 2026.
  • "Stephen A. Smith Rips NABJ Decision Over 'Offensive' 'Thumbs Down' Award," The Hill, August 18, 2026.
  • "Stephen A. Smith Calls NABJ Thumbs Down Award 'Lowest' Insult He's Ever Received," Barrett Media, August 17, 2026.
  • "NABJ Gives Stephen A. Smith, Brendan Carr and Major News Outlets Its 'Thumbs Down' Award," The Grio, August 16, 2026.
  • "Stephen A. Smith Fires Back at MSNBC for Describing Him as a 'Megaphone for MAGA Propaganda,'" Fox News, 2026.