Detroit PBS journalists earned recognition for their insightful, community-based reporting, as well as their storytelling expertise and willingness to collaborate on coverage ranging from climate change and racial justice, education to veterans’ causes.

Detroit (May 20, 2024) – In its annual awards ceremony last week, the Detroit Chapter of the  Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) celebrated the 2023 winners in its annual Excellence in Journalism competition, which included entries across every media platform, Detroit PBS emerged with 18 honors in television and digital journalism, the most of any television station.  

 It also received the prestigious Sojourner Truth Award in Topical Reporting for its coverage of the 60 years since the original Walk to Freedom, exploring with its partners at BridgeDetroit the progress that has been made and the work that will needs to be done in racial equality.   

In addition, Detroit PBS Senior Producer Bill Kubota was a finalist in the Journalist of the Year competition for his body of work over the course of the year.  

The awards honored outstanding contributions from several regular programs produced by Detroit PBS, including ‘One Detroit,” “American Black Journal” and “Great Lakes Now.”  

“Our organization is proud of that the judges recognized the accomplishments of our talented and conscientious  team of journalists” said Detroit PBS President and CEO Rich Homberg. “Their work demonstrates deep knowledge, insight and intuition on the subjects that matter most to the  communities we serve. Today more than ever, it’s paramount to actively pursue and factually report on pressing issues in an authentic, objective and collaborative manner – telling the authentic stories of Detroit and its people.”  

Every winner in the category of Environment Reporting were from Detroit PBS. Great Lakes Now earned first place for its reporting on “Lake Superior’s Wild Island,” which judges said had a “good balance of information and personality,” and included “a great interview with the animal experts.” 

In Educational Reporting, American Black Journal took first place for its coverage of the Black Church’s Role in Education, which judges noted as,” A fascinating glimpse into the impact of churches on Detroit’s schools.” This report was one of the monthly reports in the station’s Black Church in Detroit initiative.  

The SPJ Detroit Excellence in Journalism awards were judged by a jury of veteran journalists from a chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists outside of Michigan. 

Here’s a rundown of the achievements that speaks to the dedication and talent within Detroit PBS. Visit here for more information.   

 

TELEVISION JOURNALISM  

Category: Community/Local News 

WATCH NOW: Future uncertain for Detroit’s paratransit system as DDOT takes over, searches for new provider 

Place: 2nd 

Organization: One Detroit 

Credits: Bryce Huffman, Chris Jordan 

WATCH NOW: The Black Church in Detroit 

Place: 3rd 

Organization: American Black Journal 

Credits: Daphne Hughes, Stephen Henderson, Christian Gibbons, Bill Allesee 

WATCH NOW: Homelessness & Affordable Housing 

Place: 4th 

Organization: American Black Journal 

Credits: Daphne Hughes, Stephen Henderson, Nushrat Rahman, Bill Kubota, Daijah Moss 

 

Category: Education Reporting 

WATCH NOW: The Black Church’s Role in Education 

Place: 1st 

Organization: American Black Journal 

Credits: Daphne Hughes, Stephen Henderson, Christian Gibbons 

WATCH NOW: Pioneers of Marygrove 

Place: 2nd 

Organization: Detroit PBS 

Credits: Jim Toscano, Ed Moore, W. Kim  

 

Category: Environment Reporting 

WATCH NOW: Lake Superior’s Wild Island 

Place: 1st 

Organization: Great Lakes Now 

Credits: Anna Sysling, Greg King, Ian Solomon, Jordan Wingrove  

WATCH NOW: Climate Change & Black Detroiters 

Place: 2nd 

Organization: American Black Journal 

Credits: Daphne Hughes, Stephen Henderson, Jenna Brooker, Bill Kubota  

WATCH NOW: A Community Fights for a Cleaner Future 

Place: 3rd 

Organization: Great Lakes Now 

Credits: Greg King, Jordan Wingrove  

WATCH NOW: Battling Food Waste for People and the Planet 

Place: 4th 

Organization: Great Lakes Now 

Credits: Sarah Pagura, Bill Allesee 

  

Category: Feature Reporting 

WATCH NOW: Rose Morton’s Family Roots 

Place: 2nd 

Organization: American Black Journal 

Credits: Daijah Moss, Dan Ketchum, Matt Ilas, Brendan Battle, Jesse Harrison  

WATCH NOW: Detroit’s oldest gay bar, Gigi’s, celebrates 50 years as haven for city’s LGBTQ+ community 

Place: 3rd 

Organization: One Detroit 

Credits: Chris Jordan, Orlando Rivera  

 

Category: Health Reporting 

WATCH NOW: Push by local Vietnam veterans to rename Post Traumatic Stress Disorder gains momentum 

Place: 1st 

Organization: One Detroit 

Credits: Bill Kubota, Joe Dzenowagis, Dennis Niemiec 

 

Category: News/Public Affairs (regular scheduled programs) 

WATCH NOW: Great Lakes Now 

Place: 1st 

Organization: Great Lakes Now 

Credits: Rob Green, Anna Sysling, Jordan Wingrove, Bill Allesee 

WATCH NOW: One Detroit 

Place: 2nd 

Organization: One Detroit 

Credits: Bill Kubota, Chris Jordan, Will Glover, Daphne Hughes, Zosette Guir 

WATCH NOW: American Black Journal 

Place: 3rd  

Organization: American Black Journal 

Credits: Daphne Hughes, Stephen Henderson, Christian Gibbons, Bill Allesee, Zosette Guir 

 

DIGITAL 

Category: Feature Reporting 

WATCH NOW: AAPI Stories Series for AAPI Heritage Month 

Place: 2nd 

Organization: One Detroit 

Credits: Zosette Guir, Bill Kubota, Eden Sabolboro, Thaad Sabolboro, Amanda Tingley 

OPEN 

 

Category: Sojourner Truth Award in Topical Reporting 

WATCH NOW: Walk to Freedom Coverage 

Place: 1st 

Organization: One Detroit, American Black Journal, BridgeDetroit 

Credits: One Detroit, American Black Journal, BridgeDetroit 

 

About Detroit PBS (detroitpbs.org) 

Detroit PBS is Michigan’s only community-licensed public television station, operating independently of any educational institution or governmental entity. With more than 2 million weekly viewers across its five TV channels, Detroit PBS is the state’s largest and most watched public television station, boasting the most diverse public television audience in America. Formerly known as Detroit Public TV, Detroit PBS reaches nearly 4 million visitors on average each month through its websites, YouTube channels and social media platforms. Its listener-supported radio station, 90.9 WRCJ, is Detroit’s only classical and jazz station, reaching a local and worldwide audience and averaging 280,000 streams per month. Licensed to Detroit Public Media, Detroit PBS is governed by a volunteer board of trustees representing the local business, civic and cultural communities.