About the awards
The Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University is delighted to announce three award categories for 2026. Winners will be revealed during the luncheon event on March 13, 2026.
Ethnic & Community Media Lifetime Award
Honors an outstanding ethnic and community news outlet that has significantly contributed to its community and played a pivotal role in advancing community engagement and development over many years.
2025 finalists
The Ukrainian Weekly (est. 1933), Luso Americano (est. 1928), Nowy Dziennik (est. 1971)
Ethnic & Community Media Champion Award
Recognizes an ethnic and community news outlet or organization demonstrating values and commitment to informing, educating, and building community through local journalism.
2025 finalists
Front Runner New Jersey, Bangla Patrika, New Jersey Hispano, NJ/NY Filipino American Press Club, The Atlantic City Focus, The Korea Daily NJ
Ethnic & Community Media Leadership Award
Recognizes a local journalist who elevates the voices of people in communities, using their platforms to advance underserved, under-resourced, and underheard communities.
2025 finalists
Penda Howell (NJ Urban News), Raymond Tyler (WTTH 96.1 FM), Kleibeel Marcano (Reporte Hispano), Orhan Akkurt (Zaman Amerika), Kenny Miles (The Trenton Journal)
New Jersey
Celebrating media diversity
New Jersey is home to more than 145 ethnic and community news outlets — media professionals reporting in more than 20 languages and representing over a dozen diverse communities.
These organizations serve essential roles in their communities: providing news and information in native languages, covering local issues often overlooked by mainstream media, and preserving cultural connections for immigrant and diaspora communities.
The annual awards ceremony recognizes the outstanding work of these outlets and the journalists who dedicate their careers to serving New Jersey's diverse populations.
About past ceremonies
The Ethnic and Community Media Awards launched in 2025 as part of the Center for Cooperative Media's ongoing commitment to supporting diverse voices in New Jersey journalism.
The inaugural ceremony featured keynote speaker Mazin Sidahmed, co-executive director of Documented NY, and recognized finalists across all three award categories from outlets serving Ukrainian, Portuguese, Polish, Bengali, Hispanic, Filipino, Korean, and African American communities.
Join us on March 13, 2026
Be there when the 2026 award winners are revealed. Register now to secure your spot at this celebration of local journalism.
Register on Eventbrite