LZ Granderson: Keynote Speaker, ACES 2025 Salt Lake City
By Gigi Sutton, Executive Director
One of the highlights of our annual ACES conference in Salt Lake City was the honor of welcoming LZ Granderson as our keynote speaker at the Awards Banquet on Friday night.
Having LZ join us was not only a professional milestone for our organization, but also a personal joy for me.
The first time we talked, what began as a routine planning call quickly turned into something more meaningful. LZ and I bonded over our mutual love of vampires — yes, you read that right!
What followed was a genuinely lovely conversation that sparked a new friendship. There’s something magical about those connections that happen unexpectedly, and this was one of those moments I’ll always cherish.
When LZ took the stage at the dinner, he brought a powerful blend of authenticity, humor, and depth. He generously shared his personal journey as a Black queer man in the United States, speaking with vulnerability and strength about how those intersecting identities shaped his voice and career.
His words struck a chord with so many of us in the room, reminding us of the courage it takes to tell our own stories, and the responsibility we have as editors to honor the stories of others.
He also gave us a sneak peek into his forthcoming book, reading a few passages that were both moving and thought-provoking. “The Ballad of LZ Granderson : Sports. Culture. Politics.” will be published on May 25, 2025. Look for pre-sales in mid-April.
One of the most memorable moments came during the Q&A with attendees. When asked what editors can do to best support journalists, LZ didn’t miss a beat. His answer was simple yet profound: “Keep us honest.”
In a time when truth is too often twisted or drowned out, LZ reminded us that being stewards of accuracy is not just our job, it’s our duty. Supporting writers as editors means giving them a strong factual foundation from which their voices can rise.
We are so grateful to LZ for being part of this year’s conference. His presence made the evening unforgettable, and his words will stay with us long after the lights in the banquet hall have dimmed.
Until next year,
— Gigi Sutton
Executive Director
More comments from LZ Granderson at the Awards Banquet
“It’s wonderful being with my peers right now. I work alone. I’m a roving reporter, if you will, so I’m alone a lot. So when I got the invite, I said, ‘Yes! People who read! I want to be with those people.'”
“I can’t be a writer without an editor. I can put words on a page, on a screen. I can put together synthesis, and I can try and put together thoughts. But in order to make sure that there’s complete clarity and I’m not missing something, I need my editor. I need my Philip. And so Philip and I had made an agreement. He was like, I’m not leaving you, you don’t leave me.”
“Keep us honest. When I say, I love my Philip, it’s not that, you know, he never touches my copy. It’s that he makes sure it comes out good. So keep us honest. Keep pushing us. You know, when you get copied edited and you have questions, bring those questions up, and if someone doesn’t have the right answer, keep pushing us to find the right answers.
“You know, I think that we’re looking for a silver bullet in some ways, in terms of what we’re facing. And I don’t think it is a silver bullet. I think it’s about being diligent. The most powerful thing is consistency, because most people can’t be. You guys are the seat of perfection. Copy editors. There’s no better space for consistency located, so continue being consistent.”
Gigi Sutton, MBA, is the executive director of ACES and resides in the Chicagoland area. With many years of experience managing various trade and professional associations throughout her career, Gigi is actively involved with organizations such as ASAE and the Association Forum Chicago. She is also the president of the Gilberts Town Center Homeowners Association. When she’s not working or volunteering, Gigi enjoys reading, cooking, and especially traveling with her husband and daughter.
ACES: The Society for Editing
ACES: The Society for Editing is the nation’s leading organization of editing professionals, educators, and students. Founded in 1997 by copy editors, ACES is dedicated to improving the quality of the written word and the working lives of editors. It sets standards of excellence and gives a voice to editors in journalism, government, business, publishing, and beyond through top-notch training, networking, and career opportunities. ACES hosts an annual in-person conference and, since 2022, an annual virtual conference. ACES Academy hosts monthly webinars. ACES also offers certificates in editing, which it co-hosts with The Poynter Institute, a global leader in journalism.
