The 2025 ACoM Awards honored the immigrant storytellers, ethnic journalists, and media makers who carry the voices of our communities every day.
While mainstream media battles AI deepfakes, newsroom layoffs, and public distrust, a different kind of newsroom gathered in Oakland—one that still knocks on doors, translates pressers into native tongues, and tells the truth without algorithms deciding what’s worthy.
The PG&E Conference Center glowed with purpose on November 7th, 2025. It wasn’t just another awards show. It felt like a family gathering of storytellers, truth-tellers, and cultural memory-keepers—those of us who show up with a mic, a pen, or a camera to make sure our people are seen and heard.
This was the 2025 Ethnic Media Expo & Awards, hosted by American Community Media (ACoM). It brought together California’s ethnic press under one roof—bilingual publications, community radio stations, TikTok explainers, neighborhood newsletters—each a lifeline for communities often sidelined by traditional newsrooms.
L-R: Julian Do, America Community Media | Regina Brown Wilson, California Black Media | Martha Diaz Aszkenazy, Latino Media Collaborative
More than 50 outlets filled the expo floor. It was electric. This wasn’t about chasing clicks or centering mainstream recognition. It was about community roots. It was about trust.
Sandy Close, ACoM Executive Director, opened the day by welcoming everyone and grounding the room in gratitude and purpose. Her presence alone reminded us of why we do this work—and how far we’ve come because of those who came before us.
Following her opening, Malcolm Marshall of Contra Costa Pulse added his voice with heart and conviction. Then came powerful words from David McCulloch of PG&E, Julian Do from America Community Media, Regina Brown Wilson of California Black Media, and Martha Diaz Askenazi of the Latino Media Collaborative. They reminded us why this work matters, especially now—because when communities are ignored or misrepresented, we’re the ones who step in.
The plenary, moderated by Aram Nadjarian of Mozaic Media, gave space to leaders like Devon Keeler from the Governor’s Office, Griselda Melgoza of Health Care Services, and Maeve Elise Brown from Housing & Economic Rights Advocates. Their message was clear: ethnic media is not a checkbox. It’s the first call communities make.
Workshops dug deeper. One explored how we report during crises—fires, floods, deportations, misinformation. Another unpacked grassroots communication in communities often ignored by ad algorithms and national headlines. Both reminded us: ethnic media isn’t niche. It’s necessary.
The awards ceremony hit different.
The Communications Champion Awards, presented by Ekene Okobi of the California Local News Fellowship, honored Senator Steve Glazer and Jenna Lane of the Blue Shield of California Foundation. Their advocacy showed what real allyship in public health and policy looks like.
Michelle Benitez of Univision 14 and Martin Reynolds of The Maynard Institute co-hosted with grace and grounding. You could feel the weight of every name announced, every outlet called. These weren’t just winners—they were witnesses, documentarians of local truth.
There was deep gratitude from winners whose stories lifted up their communities—immigrants, elders, youth, and advocates—capturing the full range of the human experience. These were not one-dimensional narratives. Some stories brought joy and celebration, others carried sorrow, and many offered hard-earned hope. From triumphs to trials, from history to humor, they were all windows into the soul of a people. Stories that might otherwise never see the light of day are now immortalized because ethnic journalists dared to tell them.
Many of these journalists work quietly, often without the resources or recognition they deserve. They do it out of passion, purpose, and service. That’s why the ACoM Awards matter so much. They shine a light not only on the stories but also on the storytellers—the messengers who carry their communities’ voices forward with care and courage.
I was humbled to receive an award for my reporting in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports category. A couple of years ago, I was honored for international reporting. And last year, The Immigrant Magazine, which I founded and edit, was recognized alongside other ethnic outlets for the work we do. But I carry these awards as community affirmations. Our success is shared.
Special gratitude belongs to Sandy Close, the force behind it all. ACoM’s Executive Director, Sandy, began her career covering China and Vietnam in the 1960s. She went on to lead Pacific News Service, pioneer youth media, and launch New America Media—the nation’s first and largest collaboration of ethnic news outlets. She’s a MacArthur “Genius” grantee, a Polk Award winner, and an Oscar co-producer. And in 2017, she founded ACoM to keep doing what she’s always done: amplify voices that matter. This gathering is her legacy in motion.
With Sandy Close, ACoM’s Executive Director
Ethnic media isn’t just local—it’s national. These are the outlets that translate ballots, cover immigration court, document police abuse, and celebrate cultural resilience. When disinformation campaigns flood social platforms, when people don’t know where to turn, it’s the ethnic press that often steps in. We’re not just media. We’re trusted messengers.
To the organizers, sponsors, judges, and every journalist who’s ever knocked on a door nobody else would—thank you. You keep the soul of journalism alive.
We’re not just covering the story. We are the story.
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