NCCD Announces Guest Judges for the Annual Media for a Just Society Awards

The National Council on Crime and Delinquency’s Media for a Just Society Awards are the only national recognition of media whose work furthers public understanding of criminal justice, juvenile justice, child welfare, and adult protection issues. We are excited to present this year’s accomplished panel of judges, which includes eminent professionals from the fields of journalism, film, literature, social justice, and philanthropy.

The National Council on Crime and Delinquency’s Media for a Just Society Awards are the only national recognition of media whose work furthers public understanding of criminal justice, juvenile justice, child welfare, and adult protection issues. We are excited to present this year’s accomplished panel of judges, which includes eminent professionals from the fields of journalism, film, literature, social justice, and philanthropy.

This year, we received more than 100 submissions and nominations from individuals and outlets whose work truly displays an outstanding commitment to social justice in the media. Stay tuned in coming months as contestants compete for awards in the categories of book, film, magazine, newspaper, radio, TV/video, and web, as well as our new youth media category for work produced by individuals under 25.

Join us in honoring the 2014 Media for a Just Society panel of judges:

Daniel “Nane” Alejandrez, founder and executive director, Barrios Unidos: Daniel “Nane” Alejandrez works with Barrios Unidos, based in Santa Cruz, California, toward a goal of transforming the most impoverished and disenfranchised sectors of society into peaceful and prosperous communities.

Scott Budnick, founder, Anti-Recidivism Coalition: Best known for his work as a movie producer (including such films as the Hangover series and Road Trip), Scott Budnick has recently turned years of involvement in justice reform to a new organization designed to help justice-involved youth successfully reenter their communities.

Lisa Kleiner Chanoff, cofounder, Catapult Film Fund: Lisa Kleiner Chanoff is an investor and philanthropist with a long history of involvement in education and the arts, as well as health and poverty issues. Her passion for early venture support has led to crucial first funding of projects, from San Francisco area education and poverty alleviation work to providing the initial funding for a school for girls and community center in the Kibera slum of Nairobi.
  

Kathy Chow, executive director, Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA): Kathy Chow has more than 10 years’ experience in program development and nonprofit management with various nonprofit agencies. Prior to becoming AAJA’s executive director, she was the Director of Hands On Sacramento, a California volunteer action center. She also worked for six years as a public affairs representative for The Sacramento Bee.
  
 

Malkia Cyril, executive director, Center for Media Justice: Malkia Cyril is the founder and executive director of the Center for Media Justice, which was launched in 2008 to strengthen the media activism and communications capacity of grassroots social justice movements.

Chet Hewitt, president and chief operating officer, Sierra Health Foundation: Chet Hewitt has more than 25 years’ experience working in the public and nonprofit sectors. Prior to joining Sierra Health Foundation, Hewitt spent five years as director for the Alameda County Social Services Agency, where he was credited with transforming its child welfare system into a national model. He has received several national awards, including the Annie E. Casey Foundation Child and Family Fellowship and the 2009 Valeria Bullard Black Administrator of the Year Award.
 
  

Piper Kerman, author, Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison: Piper Kerman’s memoir has recently been turned into a highly acclaimed television series by producer Jenji Kohan (Weeds). She continues to work in justice reform.

Kirsten Levingston, program officer, Ford Foundation: Kirsten Levingston works on justice system reform issues at the local and national levels. Her grant making focuses on ensuring the enforcement of fundamental rights through reforms that improve access to effective, fair, and nondiscriminatory justice systems. Prior to joining the Ford Foundation in 2008, she spent almost two decades as a lawyer and policy advocate focused on criminal justice and civil rights issues.
 
  

B. Kathlyn Mead, executive vice president and chief operating officer, The California Endowment: B. Kathlyn Mead is responsible for business operations, impact investing, and strategic partnerships at The California Endowment. She previously served as president and CEO of the San Diego Council of Community Clinics and, prior to that, vice president of the CalPERS Sector for Blue Shield of California.

 
  
The 2014 Media for a Just Society Awards ceremony will take place at the San Francisco Jazz Center in California on October 15.

For more information about the Media for a Just Society Awards and to purchase tickets, click here. We hope you will join us!

Watch this space in coming months for other Media for a Just Society announcements, including the Distinguished Achievement Award winner!