Begun in 1994, the Community Media Awards honor storytelling that centers Chicago's people. This is a night for community leaders, advocates, journalists and Public Narrative partners to come together and celebrate the stories that made a difference in our lives. Your contribution will enable us to keep offering community-engaged events, resources and training—and continue to honor people-centered journalism for years to come.

The Studs Terkel Award is given to Chicago reporters, editors, producers, videographers and photographers who exemplify the values of Studs Terkel’s journalism, by taking risks in covering social issues.

The winners of the 2021 Studs Terkel Community Media Award are:

Brandis Friedman, WTTW
Karen Hawkins, The Chicago Reader and Rebellious Magazine
Maureen O’Donnell, The Chicago Sun-Times
Michael Puente, WBEZ

The Uplifting Voices Award honors an individual—journalist or otherwise—who elevates the voices of people in Chicago communities.

The winner of the 2021 Uplifting Voices Award is:

Tonika Lewis Johnson, The Folded Map Project

The Ripple Effect Award is granted to a journalist anywhere in the U.S. whose work has had an impact in Chicago and beyond.

The winner of the 2021 Ripple Effect Award (the second ever, after Nikole Hannah-Jones in 2019) is:

Jamie Kalven, Invisible Institute

26th Annual Community Media Awards

By Public Narrative

26th Annual Community Media Awards