WASHINGTON – After weathering Donald Trump's presidency, April Ryan is in good shape.
Ryan received a standing ovation at the White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday in honor of her 25 years of coverage of the White House.
This wasn't the only time she was lauded this weekend.Following the dinner, TheGrio presented "A Seat at the Table: A Celebration of Black Media," a celebration commemorating Ryan's nearly three-decade tenure as a White House correspondent.
"I'm aware that I'm being heard and observed. It was a long journey, but I'm still here after 25 years "The meal honored Ryan, he told USA TODAY. "It isn't about me in the first place. It all comes down to the tales. It's about writing about and interrogating an underprivileged group."
President Joe Biden made the White House Correspondents' Dinner great again, thanks to Kim Kardashian's help.
During the Trump administration, the seasoned journalist was praised for her professionalism, serenity, and honesty in dealing with tough times with the former president during press conferences.
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Joyce Beatty, comedian Chris Tucker, "CBS Mornings" host Gayle King, and "The View" host Sunny Hostin were among the notable politicians, celebrities, and journalists who attended the swanky event held at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Mary J. Blige congratulated Ryan before performing a medley of her classics, including "Just Fine," "Real Love," and "Family Affair," with DJ D-Nice on the turntables.
'They're going to watch us all shine,' Mary J. Blige says.
At the National Museum of African American History and Culture, which archives the past of African Americans, media tycoon Byron Allen, who runs theGrio, said it was vital to recognize Black journalists like Ryan and Black brilliance in the media.
"This is the single location and time on this night when we recognize Black excellence, and we don't do it enough," he told USA TODAY.
TheGrio was acquired by Allen's Entertainment Studios Inc. in 2016, making it a black-owned news and social media outlet.
TheGrio's senior vice president of news and entertainment, Geraldine Moriba, said the firm wants to honor Ryan's contributions to the coverage of Black America in the most significant way possible."We have to let everyone know when we have someone as strong, powerful, and accomplished as April," Moriba said to USA TODAY. "We don't have the resources to recognize our effective champions."
After a gap caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the correspondents' dinner returned this year. President Joe Biden attended for the first time in six years. The event was headlined by Trevor Noah, host of Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."Noah made a joke on Obama's desire to return to the event and chastised Biden for rising food and gas prices.
"I believe everyone will agree that it's actually good to have a president who isn't frightened to attend to the White House Correspondents' Dinner and listen to jokes about himself once again," Noah remarked.
"To be honest, I would have perfectly understood if you hadn't come because these people have been so harsh on you, which I don't understand." No, I don't think so. And I believe that things have improved significantly since you assumed office. Gas is more expensive, rent is more expensive, food is more expensive, and so on."
At the event, Kim Kardashian and Pete Davidson made their first red carpet appearance as a couple, but they refused to answer any questions from the press.
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