More than 275 Journalists will be honored at annual ceremony and banquet on May 20

Celebrate the award-winning journalists at our annual banquet on May 20; tickets on sale now

SPJ Detroit announces the finalists for its 2026 Journalist of the Year and Young Journalist of the Year honors:

Journalist of the Year
  • John Carlisle and Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press
  • Bill Kubota, Detroit PBS
  • Koby Levin, Outlier Media
Young Journalist of the Year
  • Ronia Cabansag, Michigan Public
  • Isabel Lohman, Bridge Michigan
  • Briana Rice, Outlier Media

The chapter also reveals the finalists for its annual Excellence in Journalism competition. The complete list of more than 275 journalists can be found here:

View 2025 EIJ Finalists List

This exceptional group of journalists will be celebrated at the chapter’s Excellence in Journalism awards banquet from 5:30-9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, at the San Marino Club, 1685 E. Big Beaver Rd. in Troy, Michigan. Award details and the winners in each category will be announced at the event.

“The Excellence in Journalism awards shine a spotlight on the outstanding work being done by journalists across our region. This year’s honorees reflect the strength, integrity and talent of our profession,” said Marty Fischhoff, SPJ Detroit president. “We are proud to recognize their exceptional work and invite the community to join us in honoring the journalists whose reporting keeps the public informed and engaged. We hope you can join us in this celebration.”

In addition to these honorees, SPJ Detroit will honor the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award recipients: Stephen Henderson, Bill McGraw and Alicia Nails. SPJ Detroit will also name the recipients of its 2025 Larry Laurain scholarships, given to college students with an expressed interest in journalism.

The exciting silent auction will be back, offering opportunities to bid on great items with proceeds going to support the SPJ Detroit Scholarship program.

Tickets and additional information are available at spjdetroit.org.

The evening will include the popular silent auction, the proceeds of which support the Scholarship Fund for college journalism students.