‘Lead City’ Series Receives National Association of Black Journalists Award

A collaborative investigation into Chicago's lead water infrastructure has been honored with a prestigious award from the National Association of Black Journalists. The “Salute to Excellence” award was presented to the “Lead City” series, a joint effort by Inside Climate News, WBEZ and Grist. The project examined the city’s extensive network of lead water pipes, revealing critical gaps in public safety measures and highlighting disparities in affected communities. Chicago, home to more lead service lines than any other U.S. city, had planned to replace these hazardous pipes 30 years after the federal deadline. The project uncovered that the city had also missed a key opportunity to inform residents about potential exposure risks. By mapping the distribution of lead pipes, the teams found that the issue disproportionately affects Black and Latino neighborhoods, underscoring systemic inequities in environmental policy. To address these concerns, the reporting team developed an interactive tool enabling Chicago residents to determine whether their homes have lead pipes or suspect they might. The platform includes practical advice for mitigating health risks, such as using filters and testing water quality. This resource exemplifies the public service value of the project, offering actionable information directly to impacted communities. The initiative involved a diverse group of reporters, including Keerti Gopal and Peter Aldhous from Inside Climate News, Juanpablo Ramirez-Franco from Grist/WBEZ, Amy Qin from WBEZ, and Clayton Aldern from Grist. Their combined expertise enabled a comprehensive examination of both the technical and social dimensions of the issue. Vernon Loeb, executive editor of Inside Climate News, emphasized the significance of cross-newsroom collaboration, noting that the partnership with Grist and WBEZ validated the effectiveness of their approach to expanding journalistic impact. The “Lead City” series received recognition beyond the NABJ award, earning accolades in the investigative reporting category of the Edward R. Murrow Awards and finalist status at several other notable awards, including those from the Institute for Nonprofit News, the Society of Environmental Journalists, the National Headliner Awards, the Public Media Journalists Association, and the Chicago Headline Club. A judge from the Institute for Nonprofit News praised the work as “incredible” and highlighted the innovative community engagement strategies employed by the team. The project reflects a broader commitment to environmental justice and transparency. It underscores the role of independent journalism in holding institutions accountable and ensuring equitable access to safe living conditions. The findings have sparked renewed calls for urgent action from city officials and advocacy groups, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention to safeguard public health. Inside Climate News continues to operate as a nonprofit organization, relying on donations to sustain its mission of providing high-quality environmental reporting. Readers are encouraged to contribute to support the continued production of such impactful journalism, which plays a crucial role in informing the public and driving meaningful change. The success of the “Lead City” series stands as a testament to the power of collaborative storytelling in addressing complex societal challenges.