This week, something truly special happened for the Gulf Coast, and for local journalism. ABC13’s Nick Natario was honored with the first-ever Gulf Coast Community Champion Award, recognizing his years of reporting that have helped thousands of people across the region navigate workforce challenges and discover new opportunities.
If you’ve ever watched one of Nick’s stories, you know he brings more than just headlines to the table. For the past five years, he’s dug deep into the real issues affecting job seekers in Houston and beyond. His reporting has shed light on everything from unemployment struggles to job fair successes—like the widely known ‘Who’s Hiring?’ series—making sure critical information reaches the people who need it most.
What began as a powerful idea between Nick and Michelle Castrow during the height of the pandemic — the “Who’s Hiring” Job Fair — has grown into a trusted source of opportunity for thousands across the Gulf Coast region. With continued support from ABC13 and the visionary leadership of Executive Director Juliet K. Stipeche, this initiative continues to connect job seekers with meaningful careers.
At the award ceremony, it became clear just how deeply Nick’s work has resonated with the community. The official resolution accompanying the award praised his “extraordinary dedication, impactful contributions, and lasting influence” in connecting people to meaningful employment and promoting economic resilience throughout the Gulf Coast.
But Nick’s acceptance speech reminded everyone that this journey started in a deeply human place: “The last time I was recognized, my daughter was born one week later, so I was very emotional because I knew that was coming,” he said, reflecting on a turning point in his life and career. “I dreamt this idea of mowing the lawn back in April 2020—capturing stories about people that couldn’t reach unemployment benefits—and as a journalist, I wanted to do more.”
And he has done more. Over five years, his storytelling has not only aired on TV but has had real, behind-the-scenes impact. He explained how, while out in the field, he personally connects struggling individuals with local resources like Workforce Solutions, going far beyond the scope of a typical news assignment: “What you all probably don’t know is, when I’m in the field and I run into people going through hard times, I ask them: ‘Do you know about Workforce Solutions?’ So it’s not just on the air, we help people behind the scenes.”
Nick closed his remarks by reaffirming his commitment to the community: “I’m looking forward to another five years and helping the Gulf Coast community learn about all these workforce programs. Thank you all so much.”
This recognition isn’t just a personal milestone for Nick, it’s a moment to reflect on the value of local journalism that listens, informs, and acts. In a time when trust in media is often in question, Nick Natario is showing us what it means to serve with heart, consistency, and impact. We’re lucky to have voices like his in the Gulf Coast, and even luckier that he’s not done yet.
