MLK50: Justice Through Journalism won two awards during the National Association of Black Journalists’ 2026 Salute to Excellence Awards gala on Aug. 15.
The awards — announced during NABJ’s annual convention — were given across two categories, for newsrooms with staffs of 50 or fewer. General assignment reporter Michael Finch II won the top prize for News: Series for his stories about PILOTs, those tax breaks that were rewarding owners of a troubled apartment complex at the expense of tenants.
Government accountability reporter Katherine Burgess and investigative editor Wendi C. Thomas won the News: Single Story prize for “They were sleeping, driving, walking in Memphis. Then Trump’s police task force came.” The story was copublished with ProPublica.
“Our first priority is producing journalism that improves the lives of Memphians,” said Charity Scott, MLK50’s managing editor. “It’s an honor to have our efforts recognized by NABJ.”
The annual event was held in Atlanta.
This story is brought to you by MLK50: Justice Through Journalism, a nonprofit newsroom focused on poverty, power and policy in Memphis. Support independent journalism by making a tax-deductible donation today. MLK50 is also supported by these generous donors.