meet
gwen tolbart
A six-time trailblazer and communication pro, Gwen Tolbart has taken her extraordinary speaking skills from in front of the camera to the stage as a motivational speaker with “Tolbart Talks!”
In May 2024, Gwen received the prestigious Concordia University Alumni Association International Excellence Award. This award is presented to a student, a graduate or community of graduates outside Montreal who, through a lifetime contribution of exceptional leadership and outstanding volunteer service in the alumni community or country, has enhanced the reputation and prestige of the alumni association and university.
Melissa Calderisi, Associate Director, Alumni Engagement, University Advancement Concordia University wrote Gwen saying, “This prestigious award is bestowed upon individuals who, like yourself, have demonstrated exceptional leadership and
outstanding volunteer service in the alumni community or country, thereby significantly enhancing the reputation and prestige of both the alumni association and our esteemed university.
Your contributions have not only made a lasting impact on our alumni community but have also brought honor to Concordia University on the global stage. The International Excellence Award is a testament to your dedication, passion, and commitment to making a positive difference in the world.
Your commitment to excellence and the values of Concordia University is truly commendable, and we are proud to have you as an outstanding representative of our alumni community."
Gwen is an Emmy award-winning, five-time
Emmy Nominated Television Broadcaster, National Association Of Black Journalist (NABJ) 2023 Hall of Famer and philanthropist whose life of giving back and making a difference for others, earned her President Obama’s Lifetime Community Service Award.
A trailblazer of Canada and the USA, she is the first Canadian and first meteorologist inducted into the NABJ Hall of Fame, first Canadian to receive the NABJ Community Service Award (given to only one of their 4000 members annually), first Black weather anchor on both Canada’s, “The Weather Network” (English division) and on Montreal’s CTV CFCF-12 and the only Black host of their internationally syndicated travel show, ”Travel, Travel.”
Her NABJ Hall of Fame Induction has her joining pioneers and icons who have been inducted over the years such as Carol Simpson (first Black female Network anchor - ABC), Ed Bradley (former CBS Network anchor), Les Payne (Pulitzer Prize journalist, Newsday), Gwen Ifill (PBS), John H. Johnson (Publisher of Ebony & Jet magazines), Gordon Parks (Photojournalist), Cathy Hughes (Founder, Urban One Inc - Radio),
Tom Joyner (Radio Personality), Pam Oliver (Fox NFL reporter), Bernard Shaw (former CNN anchor), Randall Pinkston (former correspondent/anchor Al Jazeera America & CBS) and many other notables.
Gwen’s on-air work has also earned her several Associated Press Awards and five NABJ Broadcast Excellence Awards.
Her broadcast career began in her hometown of Montreal, Quebec, Canada as host and co-producer of the former Black Community Communications Media Cable news magazine show, “Black Is.” She went on to work at KTVT (CBS) in Dallas, TX, as a weather anchor, feature reporter and Live talk show host.
For the past twenty-two years, she has been a weather anchor and feature reporter at WTTG (Fox5 Local News) in Washington, DC where she can be seen on-air weekly. Gwen created her own regular franchise at the station, called “Because Of You,” writing and producing stories of people that experience positive life changing impacts because of others. During Black History Month 2023, she wrote and produced a four-part series, “One To Watch,” featuring young African American teens ages 14-18 who are athletes, entrepreneurs, and teen leaders on their way to success.
Gwen won the 2018 Champion Of the Year Award - Comfort Cases (foster children), and is named a "Leader and Honorary Member" of the All-Canada University Association, Washington DC Metro Area.
Named one of the ”2014 Top 100 Women in the State of Maryland,” Gwen has founded and led mentorship programs, and championed countless causes while inspiring, encouraging, and instilling growth and empowerment for people of all ages.
Her strong community commitment and professional achievements have earned her much recognition and many numerous awards in both Canada & the USA, including commendation from the Governor of Texas, the United States Congress, and the Nova Scotia House of Assembly (Provincial Government, Canada).
Gwen is a member of the National Speaker’s Association (NSA), a member of NSA’s Washington, DC Chapter and a former Board member. She was first runner-up in the National Chapter's NSA Keynote speaking competition in 2012.
She gave the 2011 Winter Commencement Address for the University Of Washington DC (UDC). In 2009, Gwen the received Empowerment Inc. Washington, DC New Endeavors By Women Volunteer Award.
She is listed in the “Who’s Who in Black Canada” and “Who’s Who in Black Washington.” Other accolades include named “A Woman Of Distinction,” 2005 Woman Of The Year (non-member) Zeta Phi Beta - Washington, DC, 2004 Voices Against Violence Award (teen girls), just to name a few.
She is a former Board Member of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and ”Our House," a non-profit residential program in Maryland serving abused and homeless male youth and led their fundraising efforts to successfully build a new dorm.
Over the years, Gwen has been involved with and supported countless non-profits including but not limited to, the Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund and New Endeavors for Women” (serving homeless women).
While in Montreal, Canada she created “Positive Images”, a mentorship program for inner city girls and arranged for the teens to meet Coretta Scott King when she visited the city.
She holds a BA in Journalism from Montreal's Concordia University and is a Social Science graduate of Montreal’s Dawson College. Her alma mater, Concordia University has used her in a two-year billboard campaign to promote education.
A survivor of a near-fatal car crash, Gwen’s presentations and work on stage are an example of her tenacity, zest, and deep passion for life that she shares with her audience and clients.
Gwen is a motivational and keynote speaker for all ages and is also co-owner of “4EveryGoodReason” a film production company that is working to address the stories of underserved communities.