Ifill Forum

Gwen Ifill '77 '93HD was a model of intellectual curiosity and truth seeking. As a journalist, Gwen was committed to not only asking important questions but also truly listening to the answers. Those traits are what inspired this annual event aimed at bringing together industry experts for an eye-opening and dynamic discussion on the important issues of our time.

Judy Woodruff, Dean Brian Norman, Asma Khalid, Maya Valentine and Yamiche Alcindor onstage during the Ifill Forum.

The Ifill Forum is our annual signature event in honor of Gwen Ifill and her legacy as a ground-breaking Black woman journalist. We invite alumnae, community members, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Gwen Ifill to experience an event where important national voices come together for a conversation of a pressing issue. The Ifill Forum seeks to ask the questions that Gwen herself would be asking of our world today.

During the Forum, the Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award is presented to an individual who embodies Gwen Ifill's commitment to professional excellence, mentoring, and the public good.

Jo-Ann Reid

Ifill Forum 2024: “Democracy on the Edge”

The Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences at Simmons University presents the 2024 Gwen Ifill Forum, featuring a moderated discussion with accomplished MSNBC political analyst and host of “The ReidOut,” Joy-Ann (Joy) Reid.

Learn more about the 2024 Ifill Forum

Gwen Ifill speaking at a past Simmons Commencement

Gwen Ifill: A Life of Purpose

Best known as a successful and much admired television news anchor, Gwen Ifill launched her career here at Simmons.

Meet Gwen Ifill

Judy Woodruff, Dean Brian Norman and Yamiche Alcindor at the Ifill Forum

Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award

The Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award honors Gwen Ifill's commitment to professional excellence, community and mentoring. It recognizes a professional who exhibits the promise to carry on the work of fostering civic dialogue and an informed, diverse citizenry.

Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award

Knight Foundation Boardroom

Knight Foundation Investment

When Simmons University named one of its colleges in honor of Gwen Ifill, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation bestowed a $250,000 investment upon the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities and Social Sciences. Support from Knight Foundation will honor Ifill’s legacy, including her commitment to journalistic integrity and civic engagement, as well as her esteemed reputation among journalists, civic leaders and the public at-large. 

Ifill Forum in the News

Joy Reid and Latoyia Edwards in conversation at the 2024 Ifill Forum, photograph by Ashley Purvis.

MSNBC Host Joy Reid Presents “Democracy on the Edge” at the Fifth Annual Ifill Forum

On Tuesday, April 2, the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities hosted the fifth annual Ifill Forum, which honors the late Gwen Ifill ’77, ’93HD and her legacy as a ground-breaking Black woman journalist. Joy Reid, author, journalist, and host of MSNBC’s The ReidOut, graced the Simmons campus as the 2024 guest speaker, while NBC10 Boston and NECN anchor Latoyia Edwards served as the moderator.


A side-by-side image of Joy-ann Reid and Latoyia Edwards

Join the Discussion on "Democracy on the Edge: A Conversation with Joy Reid" at the Ifill Forum

On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, the 2024 Gwen Ifill Forum will feature a discussion with MSNBC political analyst Joy-Ann Reid, moderated by Emmy Award-winning anchor Latoyia Edwards.


April Ryan holding 2023 Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award posing with President Wooten and group of women

Simmons Honors White House Correspondent April Ryan at Ifill Forum

On the afternoon of February 11, the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities hosted its fourth Ifill Forum. This event honors the legacy of pioneering journalist Gwen Ifill '77, '93HD by bringing together "important national voices for a...


White House Correspondent April Ryan

Join the Discussion on "Leadership and Democracy: The Enduring Power of Black Women" at the Ifill Forum

On Saturday, February 11, 2023, the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities will host the Ifill Forum, our annual signature event in honor of Gwen Ifill '77, '93HD and her legacy as a ground-breaking Black woman journalist. Each...


Kate Farrell

How the Ifill Forum Gave Kate Farrell ’23 Hope for Democracy

Kate Farrell ’23 fills us in on participating in the Ifill Forum and how alumna Gwen Ifill's legacy is felt in the Simmons classroom.


Ifill Forum event signage

The Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities Hosts Ifill Forum "Truth, Resilience, and Democracy"

Associate Professor Traci Griffith moderated a discussion between Robin Roberts, co-anchor of Good Morning America, Kevin Merida, editor of the Los Angeles Times, and student panelists, Kate Farrell ‘23 and Kylie Collins ‘23.


Robin Roberts, Co-Anchor of Good Morning America

Join the Virtual Discussion on “Truth, Resilience, and Democracy” at the Ifill Forum

On Saturday, November 6, the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities will host the Annual Ifill Forum. This year the Forum will feature the important national voices of Robin Roberts, Michele Norris, and Kevin Merida.


Watch the 2020 Ifill Forum: Facing Hard Truths. Headshots of Sherrilyn Ifill, Ava DuVernay and Michele Norris

The Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities Hosts the Second Annual Ifill Forum

Michele Norris moderated a conversation with Ava DuVernay, filmmaker and founder of ARRAY, and Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.


Past Forums


White House Correspondent April Ryan

2023: "Leadership and Democracy: The Enduring Power of Black Women"

White House Correspondent April Ryan was honored with the Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award. The discussion was moderated by Rehema Ellis '74, '00HD, NBC News' Chief Education Correspondent.

Robin Roberts, Co-Anchor of Good Morning America

2021: “Truth, Resilience, and Democracy”

Robin Roberts, journalist, author, host, and anchor of Good Morning America received the 2021 Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award. The award was presented to Roberts by fellow journalist Michele L. Norris. The panel featured Roberts, as well as Kevin Merida, Executive Editor of the LA Times.

headshot of Ava DuVernay, writer, producer, director, and founder of Array Now

2020: “Facing Hard Truths”

Ava DuVernay, winner of BAFTA, Peabody and Emmy Awards, and Academy Award nominee was honored with the Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award. Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. was a panelist. Michele Norris, one of the most trusted voices in journalism, served as moderator.

Yamiche Alcindor

2019: “Media, Race and Democracy”

Yamiche Alcindor, White House correspondent for PBS NewsHour and a political contributor for NBC News and MSNBC was the recipient of the first Gwen Ifill Next Generation Award. Panelists included Asma Khalid, national political correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR) and co-host of the NPR Politics Podcast, Maya Valentine ’19, Press Assistant for the U.S. House of Representatives, and Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of the PBS NewsHour. Rachel Gans-Boriskin, Assistant Professor of Practice in the Department of Communications, served as moderator.