JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – We’ve always known how amazing News4JAX anchor Melanie Lawson is, but it’s nice to know the Jacksonville community sees it, too!
Lawson, who has been a feature on The Morning Show broadcast for nearly two decades, was named Folio Weekly’s 2026 Person of the Year, chosen by readers across Northeast Florida.
Lawson, who has worked for Channel 4 for 21 years, was selected for the magazine’s inaugural honor through a nomination process that drew more than 280,000 votes.
Readers cited her philanthropy, community involvement, and dedication to storytelling as reasons they chose her for the distinction, Folio Weekly General Manager Teresa Spencer said.
“There were hundreds that wrote in all of the different reasons,” Spencer said. “Her philanthropy, what she does for the community, what she does here on air, bringing the stories to life that Northeast Florida deserves to hear and the right way to hear it.”
RELATED | Melanie Lawson: Why I’m celebrating my 50th birthday by saying ‘Dear Jacksonville’
Lawson, appearing alongside Spencer and Folio Weekly Publisher John Phillips on The Morning Show, expressed genuine gratitude for the recognition.
“It’s been an honor, I have to say,” Lawson said. “And so cool because being here for 21 years is a long time. And to be able to have this platform. People watch us from all over. And I try to use it, like I said, for good and not evil. I try to lift up organizations. And this has been really special.”
A city speaks
The Person of the Year award is part of Folio Weekly’s “Best of Jax” reader engagement initiative. Phillips, who took ownership of the publication in 2020, said the award was designed to reflect the pulse of Jacksonville.
“This is Jacksonville’s news,” Phillips said. “This is our first year of just trying to find who Jacksonville loves, who’s its person. And I love that it was you.”
Lawson was not the only nominee. Nine others were recognized in the same issue, including Mayor Donna Deegan, Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon, and Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, among others. But according to Spencer, the result was decisive.
“It’s amazing that people that were nominated — everyone from Liam Coen to Mayor Donna Deegan, Angie Nixon, just a plethora of different personalities doing different things in our community — but the votes came in and hands down,” Spencer said.
The remaining top 10 nominees were:
- Monique Madrid – Festival Director, LOL JAX Film Festival & Co-City Producer, Jax 48 Hour Film Project
- Jasmine Monroe – News Anchor/Reporter, First Coast News
- Jason Peoples – Author & Executive Director, JAMS ( Jacksonville Arts & Music SCH)
- Robert Phelan – CEO, Cancer Specialists of North Florida
- Christy Ponder – Executive Director, Art with a Heart in Healthcare
- Kamala Williams – Founder, The Lotus Flower Project
Jacksonville roots
For Lawson, the honor carries personal meaning. She arrived in Jacksonville without plans to stay long, yet two decades later, she remains one of the city’s most recognizable faces.
“You come here, and you’re kind of nervous and young and immature and insecure,” Lawson said. “And then, you know, after all these years, it feels good because you feel like you know your purpose.
“I love Jacksonville,” she added. “When I got here, I hadn’t planned to stay — 21 years later, still here and still serving this community.”
This week, Lawson will celebrate her 50th birthday with a special community tribute show at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Ritz Theatre Downtown. Doors open at 6 p.m.
A portion of the proceeds from “Dear Jacksonville: A Love Letter, 21 Years in the Making” will benefit Empowerment Resources, Inc., a Jacksonville nonprofit serving children and families.
