We made a big announcement this week – Charlottesville Tomorrow won 28 Virginia Press Association awards, the most in our 15-year history with the organization. For the second year in a row, our awards included the VPA “Sweepstakes” award for Best Digital News Outlet in Virginia.
In 2020, Charlottesville Tomorrow expanded our full time newsroom team, elevated the work of local freelance journalists and photojournalists, and formed a strong partnership with local independent Black media outlets through the Charlottesville Inclusive Media project. This investment in local, public service journalism is making a difference in the democratic health of our community.
Here are some highlights from our 2020 awards:
Determined: Stories of resilience in a broken ecosystem
Best in Show, online digital
Best in Show, online graphics, illustration and art
First Place, multimedia report
First Place, illustrations
Series with reporter Jordy Yager, artist Sahara Clemons, videographer Lorenzo Dickerson, in partnership with Vinegar Hill Magazine.
VPA Judges note:
“Clearly, the most important story of our lifetime, told in a way that showed the emptiness of our cities and states due to the pandemic.”
Read the Determined: Stories of resilience in a broken ecosystem series here >
See all Determined stories, and the important follow up series Still Determined stories, here >
Photojournalism awards
Best in Show, online photography
First Place, feature photo, general news photo, pictoral photo
Second Place, general news photo, personality or portrait photo, pictoral photo
Photographers: Mike Kropf and Charlotte Woods
VPA Judges note:
“The uplighting on the protester draws the viewer in, creating a striking visual.”
See this photo in context here >
Lifeline: Nurses, doctors and staff at local hospitals prepare for COVID-19 long haul
First place – feature series or continuing story
Reporter: Kate Hidalgo Bellows
VPA Judges note:
“It was still relatively early in the COVID-19 pandemic, but Charlottesville Tomorrow wasted no time assembling these comprehensive profiles of local doctors, nurses and medical personnel battling a evolving virus that would eventually claim more than 500,000 victims in the U.S. This is high-quality, public service journalism at its finest.”
Read Lifeline: Nurses, doctors and staff at local hospitals prepare for COVID-19 long haul here >
A hidden crisis: Charlottesville’s immigrant Latino families are not making ends meet
First place – general news writing
Jessie Higgins, Charlottesville Tomorrow reporter
VPA Judges note:
“A good story about a group of people who otherwise might not be reported on.”
Read A hidden crisis: Charlottesville’s immigrant Latino families are not making ends meet here >
Health, science and environmental writing portfolio
First Place – Health, science and environmental writing portfolio
Charlotte Woods, Charlottesville Tomorrow Reporter
VPA Judges note:
“All of the articles were well-written and informative. The topics chosen were timely with a lot of research clearly put into the background. Great work.”
Read COVID-19: One year later – tracking back on top 2020 Public health stories here >
Charlottesville Tomorrow is thankful to the Virginia Press Association for their acknowledgement of our work in 2020.
We are also thankful to you, our readers, for your investment in Charlottesville Tomorrow as we build a sustainable future for local journalism. We truly can’t do this without you. Together, we’re making important local journalism widely available in our community right now, and with your continued support we will sustain and expand our impact.
If you are not already a donor, please consider supporting our work with a donation today. We provide options for a one time gift of support or a sustaining monthly gift starting at as little as $5/month.
You can also help by checking our more of VPA award winning stories, and sharing them with a friend, or on your social media!
Take a look at our full list of VPA awards with links to individual stories here >
