Hope Media Group’s Joy Summers Honored with 2026 Gracie Award
Hope Media Group celebrates WayFM midday host Joy Summers who has been named the winner in the 51st annual Gracie Awards for Nationally Syndicated Non-Commercial Radio Host. Presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, the Gracies celebrate exemplary programming created by, for, and about women in all facets of media.
The 2026 award winners include women from national platforms like ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, Netflix and Hulu, in addition to local radio, television, and digital outlets. Summers was recognized for her ability to balance professional excellence with the authentic transparency that listeners have come to love.
“What an honor! Connecting to people through the radio has been my passion since college,” said Summers. “The last few years, I’ve been growing my family. While I have never lost the love for my career, it has meant that priorities have shifted. Some days I feel like I only have 40% to give. This award is a reminder that when you show up and offer what you have, the Lord can turn it into more than enough.”
The Gracies are among the most prestigious honors in the industry, making this win a significant milestone for both Summers and the WayFM network. The awards are named after singer, actress and comedian Gracie Allen who made her mark in radio, television, and film between 1924 and 1958, most notably as half of “Burns and Allen” with her husband George Burns, who like Gracie became a legend in American media.
“Seeing Joy win a Gracie is an incredible moment for WayFM and such a well-deserved honor for her,” said Chris Pickett, WayFM Network Program Director. “She brings faith, authenticity, and fun to the air every day, and listeners connect with all of that. It feels especially significant to see a Christian radio host recognized at this level, and Joy is exactly the kind of talent and person you’d want representing Christian radio.”
