San Antonio Area Foundation launches new award in memory of pioneer Diana Fuentes

The San Antonio Area Foundation, our region’s philanthropic leader and strong supporter of the journalistic tenet ensuring news and information is widely available to all, is launching a new initiative in honor of a late local press freedom pioneer.

Diana “DeeDee” Fuentes, a longtime newsroom leader and trailblazer across our region and beyond, died unexpectedly in March 2026 at 67. Among her long list of journalistic initiatives, Fuentes was the founding chair of the steering committee of the Area Foundation’s Press Forward San Antonio (PFSA) initiative.

Part of a national effort teaming up with national philanthropic partners, PFSA seeks to address the shrinking media landscape by boosting newsrooms and ensuring our communities retain access to strong and legitimate sources of news and information.

To celebrate her legacy, the Area Foundation announces the launch of the annual Diana “DeeDee” Fuentes Journalism Trailblazer Award, which will provide the winner’s newsroom with $10,000.

“Diana is and will continue to be a measure of excellence, commitment and dedication to serving our communities and a reminder that journalism has the power to build community when rooted in visibilizing the stories that matter,” said Jesus Garcia-Gonzalez, Senior Program Officer at the Area Foundation, who leads the PFSA effort.

Here’s the award eligibility criteria:

  • Texas resident, preferably in the South Central Texas region.
  • An established journalism professional with at least 10 years in the field.
  • Nominated by peers based on the impact of the nominee’s work.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the advancement of the local journalism sector.
  • Dedication to mentoring journalism students.

News of the Area Foundation’s new award was welcomed with approval in journalism circles, widely seen as a fitting way to remember and honor Fuentes’ life and work.

“DeeDee was a champion of journalism and diversity in news media,” said Nora Lopez, Executive Editor of the San Antonio Express-News and President of the San Antonio Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. “She had a heart of gold and was generous to a fault, which is why I think she would be thrilled about this award bearing her name.”

Like Lopez, Francisco Vara-Orta was a longtime colleague of Fuentes – going back to his college days when she began mentoring him.

“For many of us who know DeeDee’s backstory, we remain in awe of someone who rose from humble beginnings working at her hometown newspaper to a series of positions where she was frequently breaking the glass ceiling as a woman and person of color,” said Vara-Orta, Interim Deputy Executive Director at the international journalism training organization Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE), which Fuentes led until her sudden passing.

That lengthy backstory spans the course of a half-century in journalism for Fuentes. Born in Corpus Christi, she was raised in Laredo and later completed her undergraduate degree in journalism at the University of Texas at Austin.

She returned to Laredo to start her career, which included regional publications such as the Laredo Morning Times, San Antonio Light and San Antonio Express-News. She later broke barriers rising to leadership positions, such as the first female editor at the Morning Times. Other firsts included first managing editor of color at the Beaumont Enterprise and first Latina as editor and publisher of the Del Rio News-Herald. She was also the first person of color to lead IRE.

Among other accolades, she was inducted into the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame in 2022.

Beyond journalism circles, those who knew Fuentes the longest – her family – expressed gratitude after learning of the Area Foundation’s new award in their sister’s name.

“Considering her personal and professional legacies, the word trailblazer’ is certainly befitting,” the family shared in a statement. “She broke remarkable barriers along the way yet recognized how much more work there was to be accomplished. It is our hope this award will help others continue the work she began.”

About the San Antonio Area Foundation

The San Antonio Area Foundation has served as the city’s most trusted and impactful philanthropic partner for more than 60 years, growing to become one of the country’s largest community foundations. The Area Foundation strives to close opportunity gaps for those who need it most, managing approximately 600 charitable funds totaling $1.3 billion in assets. The Area Foundation supports hundreds of nonprofit organizations – grantmaking reached $87 million in 2025, including $14 million in college scholarships. Learn more at saafdn.org.