PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Ocean State Media, Rhode Island’s home for NPR and PBS, announced today that President and CEO Pam Johnston will receive the Rhode Island Foundation’s prestigious Trailblazer Award at the annual RWP Pops Concert next month. The Trailblazer Award honors an individual who utilizes resources in creative and innovative ways and who is disrupting the status quo for the common good.
“The Rhode Island Foundation is one of the most important, impactful forces for good in our state, so to receive this recognition from them is an incredible honor. The Foundation’s commitment to strengthening Rhode Island communities and its support for trusted local journalism make this recognition especially meaningful,” said Johnston.
In awarding this honor, the Foundation recognized Johnston’s “bold, community-centered, audience-first vision for local journalism and storytelling.”
"During a time of unprecedented disruption for public media, Pam's steady hand guided not just a merger between two of Rhode island's premier news organizations, but a reimagining of how to better serve the public with the trusted local news our community depends on," said David N. Cicilline, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation.
Johnston will accept the award at the Pops Concert at the Roger Williams Park Temple to Music on Wednesday, August 5, at 7 p.m. She will be recognized alongside two other remarkable honorees: Peter Chung, executive director of Young Voices, recipient of the Civic Leadership Award; and Conexión Latina Newport, recipient of the Community Leadership Award.
