Public Narrative is excited to announce the newest cohort of the Studs Terkel Award for its 28th Annual Community Media Awards.
Since 1994, the Community Media Awards have honored more than 120 media makers whose work is public service driven and authentically connects with communities. This year will be the first time in person for the Community Media Awards since the start of the pandemic in 2020.
“Given the last few years we’ve had it, it will be nice to gather and celebrate great journalism in person among our peers here in Chicago and beyond,” says Public Narrative president and executive director Jhmira Alexander.
“Being able to gather in person signifies how we need to rally for journalism that lends to preserving democracy at a time where journalists are under fire for doing their job.”
The Community Media Awards recognizes stand-out talent in the local and national media landscape through signature categories: The Studs Terkel Award, the Uplifting Voices Award and the Ripple Effect Award. We also recognize individuals in our newest category: People’s Choice.
The Studs Terkel Award, the most anticipated accolade among Chicago journalists, was initially selected by the late Louis B. “Studs” Terkel himself. Since his passing in 2008, past award winners have taken on the esteemed responsibility of recognizing Chicago journalists of any media genre who exemplify the values of Terkel's journalism by elevating people’s voices above power.
The winners of the 2023 Studs Terkel Community Media Award are:
- Carlos Ballesteros, Injustice Watch
- Jodi Cohen, ProPublica
- Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica
- Tiffany Walden, The TRiiBE
Read more of the announcement.
Learn more about this year's categories:
THE STUDS TERKEL
Louis B. “Studs” Terkel was not just a name to us. He was a mentor and a guiding star. For years, Studs Terkel himself helped choose the recipients. Today the Terkel Award honorees are chosen by the people that Studs recognized for their exceptional journalism: A committee of past Terkel Award winners.
The 2023 Studs Terkel winners have been announced! Learn more.
THE UPLIFTING VOICES
Created in 2014, the Uplifting Voices award is presented to a journalist or otherwise who elevates the voices of people in communities in their work. Past Uplifting Voices Awardees include Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, Aurie Pennick, Kevin Coval, and Tonika Lewis-Johnson.
Nominations are closed.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
The Ripple Effect Award began in 2019 and is granted to a journalist anywhere in the U.S. whose work has impacted Chicago and beyond. Past Ripple Effect Awardees include Michelle Duster, Nikole Hannah-Jones and Jamie Kalven.
Nominations are open until April 14. Learn more.
THE PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Who are the Chicago media makers that have positively impacted your community with their reporting or storytelling? The People's Choice will recognize one youth media maker and one adult media maker. This new category will be up to the public's nominations.
Nominations are open until April 14. Learn more.
See you at the 28th Annual Community Media Awards Thursday, May 11. Make sure to purchase your tickets today!
Interested in sponsoring? Email our President and Executive Director Jhmira Alexander.
