WHRO Public Media Awards 2026
WHRO Public Media has been honored to win several awards recently. From journalism reports and television documentaries to services provided by our WHRO Education team, we are excited to be recognized.
“WHRO Public Media is committed to delivering outstanding content that enriches and educates our community. We are honored by these awards and nominations,” stated Bert Schmidt, president and CEO of WHRO.
Below is a list of our 2026 Awards
Public Media Awards
WHRO Public Media has been named an honoree in 10 categories in the 58th Public Media Awards, with 11 entries recognized across community engagement, marketing and communications, content, radio, and overall excellence. Congratulations!
Winners will be announced September 13, 2026, during the 2026 NETA Conference.
WHRO’s 2026 Public Media Awards honorees:
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Local Project
The Story Exchange
WHRO Public Media’s PBS KIDS Village at the Virginia Children’s Festival
National Project
Sail250 Partnership
Community Initiative
WHRO The Voice
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Special Event
We the People: A Yorktown Battlefield Event
CONTENT
Cultural Feature
Virginia Symphony Fellows: Orchestrating Change
Short Form
Curate 757: Pat Tozzi
RADIO
Radio – Society & Culture
Christmas in Colonial Virginia
Radio – Local Storytelling
Ermias and the Future of Public Broadcasting
OVERALL EXCELLENCE
Excellence in Marketing & Communications
WHRO Public Media: Marketing with Purpose
Excellence in Engagement Campaigns
New for 2026• Making History Where History Was Made
Telly Awards
Gold
Series, Culture & Lifestyle - Curate
General Student - Curate U: The Revival of Union Overall Co.
Silver
Directing - VSO Fellows: Orchestrating Change
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - VSO Fellows: Orchestrating Change
Bronze
Series, History - Revolution 250: Stories from the First Shore
Directing - Curate
Drone & Aerial Cinematography - Curate
Public Media Journalists Association Awards
Video Storytelling, First Place
Revolution 250: Stories from the First Shore
The Bray School: Education / Indoctrination
Emmy Awards
Arts/Entertainment - Short Form Content: Curate 757 - Danny O
Producer: Kendrick Hopkins, Jr.
Diversity/Equity/Inclusion - Short Form Content: Curate 757 - Allegra "Pi" Duval
Producer: Neil Grochmal
National Association of Black Journalists Salute to Excellence Nominations
Winners will be announced during the Salute to Excellence Gala on Saturday, August 15.
Radio – Market 16 And Below – News: Series
Fort Monroe: African Landing Memorial Plaza
Barbara Hamm Lee, Lisa Godley, Jordan Christie, Victor Bowen
Radio – Market 16 And Below – Public Affairs: Segment
An Another View History Lesson: “Black Loyalists”
Barbara Hamm, Lisa Godley, Jordan Christie
Television – Market 16 And Below – Documentary
The Virginia Symphony Orchestra Fellows: Orchestrating Change
Lisa Godley, Neil Grochmal, Brandon Nance
Virginia Association of Broadcasters Awards
Best in Investigative Reporting - WHRO Cumberland Forest Project TNC (VCIJ) (WHRV)
Outstanding Newscast - Newscast December 19, 2025 (WHRV)
Best in Investigative Reporting - Job Corps: Fighting for a Future (VCIJ) (TV)
Best Documentary - Revolution 250: Christmas in Colonial Virginia (WHRO)
Best Public Affairs Program - Weekly Edition (WHRV)
Lenora Mathews Lifetime Achievement Award
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Barbara Hamm Lee, executive producer and host of Another View, received the Lenora Mathews Lifetime Achievement Award from Volunteer Hampton Roads.
2026 Top Virginia Employer for Interns
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The State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) named WHRO Public Media as a Top Employer for Interns.
"90 People Who Had An Impact"
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Norfolk State University recently honored 90 individuals for their dynamic impact on NSU’s growth, spirit and enduring legacy.
Excellence in Journalism Award from the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association
VCIJ at WHRO’s Kunle Falayi has won the 2025 Excellence in Journalism Award from the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association for his coverage of Flock Security systems and the growth of government surveillance.
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Thousands of Flock Safety surveillance cameras captured Virginia travellers with an unblinking eye. Their data was shared and searched around the country millions of times.
Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters
(This competition is between radio news stations in Virginia and West Virginia.)
Katherine Hafner - 1st place, Best Specialty Reporting for Environment and Climate Change Reporting.