A message board lighting fixture has semiconductor based lighting elements for illumination and an integrated electronic message board display for displaying content to occupants of a transit vehicle or other area. The lighting fixture may include a concave fixture frame having a reflective interior, with lighting elements positioned along the length of the frame to provide area illumination. The electronic display may be mounted on a projecting frame substantially centrally within the cavity of the concave fixture frame, and may be augmented with additional semiconductor based lighting elements for backlighting. A detachable lens cover may have a diffusive portion and a separate transparent region over the electronic display area.