AWARDS
Community Media Awards
Join us for this year’s event!
Thursday, May 1, 2025, 5:30 p.m to 9:00 p.m.
Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E Washington St, Chicago, IL 60602
2025 Community Media Awards
The 30th Annual Community Media Awards will be held in person at the Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
The Dr. Timuel D. Black, Jr. Award for Civic Engagement
This award, launched in 2025, honors Dr. Black’s remarkable legacy and reflects his and Studs Terkel’s shared values: a commitment to elevating community narratives, engaging in active citizenship, and building a more just and fair society. By recognizing individuals and organizations that embody these ideals, the award reminds us of the transformative power of civic engagement and the stories that connect us all.
Become a Sponsor
Public Narrative is grateful for all our past sponsors and media partners who have supported the Community Media Awards. If you are interested in supporting Public Narrative’s signature event. Reach out to us using the email address below for more information.
Thanks to our sponsors and partners over the years, including, but not limited to:
2025 — The Field Foundation of Illinois
2024 — Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications, The Joyce Foundation, Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities, WTTW
2023 — Northeastern Illinois University, Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications, CAN TV, Chicago Journalists Association
2022 — WBEZ, Chicago Public Square
Questions, general or otherwise?
Please email the Public Narrative team at info@publicnarrative.org.
About the Awards
Studs Terkel Award
Public Narrative’s guiding star, Studs Terkel, helped choose the award recipients for years and gracefully led the annual ceremony. Today, the Studs Terkel Award honorees are selected by a committee of past Terkel Award winners.
Uplifting Voices Award
The winners of this recognition elevate the voices of people in communities. They use their platforms, influence, or access to advance Chicago communities that are under-resourced and under-heard.
Ripple Effect Award
This prize recognizes quality journalism that has enlightened and inspired people in Chicago and/or across the country — journalists whose investigative work changed policies or whose engaging, well-researched stories shifted the public narrative around an issue.
People’s Choice, Emerging & Established
The People’s Choice Awards is returning for its third year. This award celebrates media creators of all ages who have reshaped harmful narratives in their communities. The general public can nominate journalists, storytellers, and media makers, and the titles of People’s Choice in both the Emerging and Established categories will be awarded to those with the most nominations. Let’s continue to elevate and celebrate the transformative power of storytelling in our communities.
The Dr. Timuel D. Black, Jr. Award for Civic Engagement
This award, launched in 2025, honors Dr. Black’s remarkable legacy and reflects his and Studs Terkel’s shared values: a commitment to elevating community narratives, engaging in active citizenship, and building a more just and fair society. By recognizing individuals and organizations that embody these ideals, the award reminds us of the transformative power of civic engagement and the stories that connect us all.