Overview:
Dixon Circle community leader Dr. Pamela Grayson hosted an event on the morning of Nov 22nd, 2025 to celebrate local reporter Brittani Moncrease-Sanders and photographer/videographer Daryl Golden for winning a 2025 Lone Star Emmy for their work on the WFAA special: The Black Vote and Why It Matters. The event proceeded with speeches from civic leaders about the importance of voting, and Black journalist’s critical role in accurately reporting stories about South Dallas. Afterwards, the awardees had a photoshoot with their families and supporters.
DALLAS– On the morning of November 22nd, 2025 the community came together at Larry Johnson Recreation Center in South Dallas to celebrate Brittani Moncrease and Daryl Golden. The two WFAA coworkers collaborated on a special WFAA series that examines the Black American community’s political power and how it’s evolved. Their work earned them a prestigious Lone Star EMMY® in the Continuing Coverage category. The Lone Star EMMY® Awards have recognized outstanding achievements in television and allied media in Texas since 2002.
Dixon Circle community leader, Dr. Pamela Grayson, was one of the many South Dallas icons to be featured in the series. “When WFAA did the story on myself and my son, it made my heart feel so good in that there were people stopping me…telling me how the story made them feel ‘some type of way’ seeing Dixon at the table in this global event.”, she says. The fierce advocate, who many lovingly refer to as ‘Dr.G’ is protective of her neighborhood.
When Golden and Moncrease announced their win, Dr.G decided that the young Black journalists should be properly recognized for their contribution to South Dallas history. She took it upon herself to host the reception that Saturday to demonstrate her appreciation for the pair’s commitment to ethical reporting and Black storytelling.
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Why Narratives Matter
While biased reporting is still an issue in regards to South Dallas, Dr. Grayson recounts an instance five years ago when a different journalist wrote about Dixon Circle; “They painted us as impoverished, ghetto know-nothings. I was livid. I told them that was not the picture that we wanted to portray. That is not who we are, and don’t bring your sorry souls back over here to another event that I hold…but here, we are humanized. And we are so, so grateful.”
After a brief screening of the special, the guests of honor gave thank-you speeches and shared stories about their overall experience working on the project. Brittani Moncrease began by crediting Daryl Golden with the original idea to do a deep-dive report on the Black vote.
Daryl Golden (left) and Brittani Moncrease-Sanders (right).. Credit: Sisi Encarnacion
“As the southern Dallas County reporter, I take pride in this position. This is really a strong community, and you all have shown me that. And so that’s where that power is- when it comes to voting, when it comes to standing up for what’s right, for the stuff that you need, for the stuff that you want.” As a South Dallas resident herself, she gets the opportunity to report about issues that directly impact her own community.
I thank you all for having us here. It’s not possible without the community and everybody that you saw in that story.
Brittani Moncrease
Daryl Golden, a photographer and videographer by trade, has been on the WFAA political reporting team for about three years. “My very first assignment was the 2022 governor’s debate in South Texas. And immediately that was something that I realized, that the ship had changed. Trying to get the Black vote wasn’t a high priority anymore, and that’s where this whole idea started.” Golden thanked Moncrease for helping him actualize this vision with her on-camera skills, and expanded on his motivation to continue in political reporting, “People don’t want to talk politics, especially over the last few years, but it’s very important to have these conversations, to share these stories, and to be involved where it’s just more than just showing up the vote…”
You’ve got to make sure future journalists know how to stay connected to the community. They got to be able to know how to tell their stories.”
Daryl Golden, WFAA
Cheered on by their loving families, the two were presented with certificates of recognition for ‘Excellence in Journalism in South Dallas’ from Collective Activism, Inc. Civic leaders Willie Mae Coleman and Elaine Campbell delivered speeches that emphasized the need to revive the community’s voting spirit and the importance of building strong relationships with local newsrooms.
As the festivities came to a close, the party continued outside the on recreation center lawn for a photoshoot with the Dallas Weekly team.
Black joy, laughter, and excellence.
From left to right: Willie Mae Coleman, Dr. Pamela Grayson, Elaine Campbell, Brittani Moncrease-Sanders, Steven Sanders, Daryl Golden, Aric Golden, Sonya Golden, Curtis Garner. Photo Credit: SiSi Encarnacion
Kiki Golden plays with her three daughters, ‘The Golden Girls’. Photo Credit: SiSi Encarnacion
From left to right: Steven Sanders, Brittani Moncrease-Sanders, Daryl Golden, Dr. Pamela Grayson, Aric Golden, Kiki Golden. Photo Credit: SiSi Encarnacion
Colleagues Brittani Moncrease-Sanders and Daryl Golden smile while they each hold a Lone Star Lone Star Emmy® statue. Photo Credit: SiSi Encarnacion
Watch and read the award-winning collaborative series on YouTube and wfaa.com.
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