WABE Names Dr. Dwight Andrews as 2026 Recipient of the Lois Reitzes Leader of the Arts Award

ATLANTA – June 24, 2026 – WABE, Atlanta’s home for NPR and PBS, has named Dr. Dwight Andrews as the 2026 recipient of the Lois Reitzes Leader of the Arts Award. The award will be presented during a special celebration on July 29, 2026, in WABE’s Studio A.

Now in its second year, the Lois Reitzes Leader of the Arts Award recognizes an individual whose work has strengthened the cultural fabric of the region, actively advocated for the arts, and demonstrated a lasting commitment to advancing Atlanta’s creative community. Established in 2025, the award honors the legacy of longtime WABE host and arts champion Lois Reitzes while celebrating those who have made an enduring impact on Atlanta’s cultural landscape.

Dr. Andrews was selected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions as an artist, educator, minister, and advocate for the arts. His work has enriched Atlanta’s cultural life for decades through music, scholarship, teaching, and community leadership.

A renowned musician, composer, educator, and pastor, Dr. Andrews has spent more than four decades shaping Atlanta’s artistic and cultural identity. As professor emeritus of music at Emory University, he has influenced generations of students while earning national recognition for his work as a saxophonist, composer, and interpreter of African American musical traditions. His performances and compositions have been presented throughout the United States and internationally, and his scholarship has deepened understanding of the intersection of music, culture, and social justice.

In addition to his accomplishments in the arts and academia, Dr. Andrews serves as senior pastor of First Congregational Church of Atlanta, where he has championed creativity, community engagement, and social change. His leadership has bridged the worlds of faith, education, and the arts, making him a respected voice throughout Atlanta and beyond.

WABE’s tradition of recognizing cultural trailblazers has deep roots. From 1998–2008, the station partnered with Atlanta-area Lexus dealers to present the Lexus Leader of the Arts Awards, honoring outstanding contributors across music, dance, theater, visual arts, and community engagement. Many recipients still list the award among their career milestones. The Lois Reitzes Leader of the Arts Award builds on that legacy and reflects WABE’s continued commitment to celebrating Atlanta’s vibrant creative community.

The inaugural recipient of the award in 2025 was Chris Escobar, executive director of the Atlanta Film Society and owner of the Plaza Theatre and Tara Theatre.

About WABE

WABE is Atlanta’s original, independent, non-profit source for news and local stories and the choice for NPR and PBS. Our stations deliver fact-based journalism and inclusive, engaging cultural content that informs, inspires, reflects, and empowers the millions who call the Greater Atlanta area home. In addition, WABE’s programs, podcasts, and events make Atlanta’s stories and storytellers accessible and relevant across various platforms for our diverse audience of listeners, viewers, visitors, and members. WABE original programming, along with national NPR and PBS content, is available on WABE 90.1FM, WABE.org, WABE TV (PBS-30), and WABE-HD1/WABE-HD2, as well as streaming across multiple platforms. For additional information, visit wabe.org.