Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
WABE has named Dr. Dwight Andrews as the 2026 recipient of the Lois Reitzes Leader of the Arts Award!
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.
Featuring friends, colleagues, and admirers of Dr. Dwight Andrews—including Kenny Leon, Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., Phylicia Rashad, and many others—sharing heartfelt congratulations and personal reflections on his remarkable career, lasting influence, and extraordinary contributions to the arts, education, faith, and the Atlanta community.
WABE is 100% independent, 100% nonprofit and 100% committed to amplifying diverse voices in Atlanta. WABE.org
Donate to WABE: wabe.org/donate | Thank you for your support!
Subscribe on YouTube: / @WABEATL
Sign up for our newsletter: wabe.org/newsletters
Instagram: / @WABEATL
Facebook: / @WABEATL
WABE has named Dr. Dwight Andrews as the 2026 recipient of the Lois Reitzes Leader of the Arts Award!
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.
Featuring friends, colleagues, and admirers of Dr. Dwight Andrews—including Kenny Leon, Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., Phylicia Rashad, and many others—sharing heartfelt congratulations and personal reflections on his remarkable career, lasting influence, and extraordinary contributions to the arts, education, faith, and the Atlanta community.
WABE is 100% independent, 100% nonprofit and 100% committed to amplifying diverse voices in Atlanta. WABE.org
Donate to WABE: wabe.org/donate | Thank you for your support!
Subscribe on YouTube: / @WABEATL
Sign up for our newsletter: wabe.org/newsletters
Instagram: / @WABEATL
Facebook: / @WABEATL
