Boston (August 11, 2022) - Boston public media producer GBH was honored with six Salute to Excellence Awards by The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) at the NABJ conference in Las Vegas last week, recognizing outstanding work in journalism and communications covering the Black experience and addressing issues affecting Black communities.
GBH was recognized for its work in investigative journalism, television programming, feature and commentary pieces produced by GBH News as well as the multiplatform "Un(re)solved" initiative from FRONTLINE, the national investigative journalism program produced by GBH.
"It is critical that Black communities everywhere have news outlets they can depend upon," said Jon Abbott, president and CEO of GBH. "These awards are a testament to GBH's dedication to reaching diverse audiences with the stories that matter most. The exemplary reports by GBH News and FRONTLINE showcase GBH's commitment to trusted journalism locally in Massachusetts and across the nation."
GBH received the following awards at the ceremony on August 6:
● Basic Black, the longest-running program on public television focusing on the interests of people of color, was recognized twice in the "Television, Top 15 Markets: Public Affairs: Interview/Discussion" category. The show won for "Basic Black: The Power of Your Name," which explored the origin of names in Black communities, and "Basic Black: Racial Generational Trauma," which explored the long-term effects of racial trauma passed down over generations. Basic Black host Callie Crossley; Executive Producer Delores Edwards; Associate Producer Kenrick Mercado; Television Director Rob Fagnant Jr., and Editor Bob Judge were honored for both episodes.
● The GBH News Center for Investigative Reporting won in the “Radio, Top 15 Markets: News: Series” category for the investigative series Unseen: The Boy Victims of the Sex Trade, which explored the evidence of the thousands of boys and young men who are victims of commercial sexual exploitation. This series was produced by Senior Investigative Reporter Phillip Martin; Deputy Investigative Editor Jenifer McKim; Investigations Editor Paul Singer; Senior Producer Emily Judem; and GBH Director of Photography Meredith Nierman.
● GBH News host and journalist Callie Crossley was recognized in the “Radio, Top 15 Markets: Commentary” category for her exploration into the lack of Black competitive swimmers in “Why Are There So Few Black Competitive Swimmers?”
● Phillip Martin and former GBH News Senior Editor Kenneth J. Cooper won in the “Radio, Top 15 Markets: Feature” category for the piece “Black Bostonians Fled To Atlanta To Escape Racism. They’re Not Coming Back, No Matter Who’s Elected Mayor.”
The investigative journalism series FRONTLINE, along with Ado Ato Pictures, was honored with an award in the “Digital Media: Interactive: Feature” category for the multiplatform experience examining America’s legacy with racist killings, Un(re)solved. Additionally, “Poisoned,” an investigative series from the Tampa Bay Times in collaboration with FRONTLINE’s Local Journalism Initiative, won a Newsroom Staff 101-200 NABJ Award in the “Investigative” category.
Find a full list of award winners on the NABJ website.
About GBH
GBH is the leading multiplatform creator for public media in America. As the largest producer of content for PBS and partner to NPR and PRX, GBH delivers compelling experiences, stories and information to audiences wherever they are. GBH produces digital and broadcast programming that engages, illuminates and inspires, through drama and science, history, arts, culture and journalism. It is the creator of such signature programs as MASTERPIECE, ANTIQUES ROADSHOW, FRONTLINE, NOVA, AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, Arthur and Molly of Denali and a catalog of streaming series, podcasts and on-demand video. GBH’s television channels include GBH 2, GBH 44, GBH Kids and national services WORLD and Create. With studios and a newsroom headquartered in Boston, GBH reaches across New England with GBH 89.7, Boston’s Local NPR; CRB Classical 99.5; and CAI, the Cape and Islands NPR station. Dedicated to making media accessible to and inclusive of our diverse culture, GBH is a pioneer in delivering media to those who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind and visually impaired. GBH creates curriculum-based digital content for educators nationwide with PBS LearningMedia and has been recognized with hundreds of the nation’s premier broadcast, digital and journalism awards. Find more information at gbh.org.
