Youth life and justice reporter Rebecca Cadenhead has been named a finalist for the 2026 Livingston Awards. The recognition comes for the reporting she did on the use of solitary confinement in the county’s juvenile detention center.
“I’m surprised and grateful to be recognized by Livingston judges,” Cadenhead said. “This story was my first investigation, and I hope many will follow.”
Given by the Wallace House Center for Journalists at the University of Michigan, the Livingston Award celebrates the outstanding reporting of journalists under 35. It’s sometimes referred to as “the Pulitzer for the young.” There are winners in local, national and international reporting. Each winner receives prizes of $10,000.
Cadenhead’s work in the local reporting division earned her a spot among reporters from an array of publications. Included are large, legacy newspapers like The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and the Miami Herald; large nonprofit news organizations like The Baltimore Banner and Mississippi Today; and small nonprofits like Spotlight PA and NY Focus.
“The entire newsroom is proud of Rebecca, and thrilled that the Livingston Awards has recognized the impact of her work,” said Charity Scott, MLK50’s managing editor. “The solitary confinement investigation is a quintessential example of our mission in action — improving the lives of Memphians by holding power to account.”
Winners will be announced on June 9 at an awards ceremony in New York.
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