Rann Miller Honored With 2026 Excellence In Community Media Award

Rann Miller, the columnist behind New Jersey Urban News’ “Camden Front and Center,” was honored Friday with the 2026 Excellence in Community Media Award from the Center for Cooperative Media. 

The prestigious recognition highlights Miller’s dedicated reporting on the intersection of policy, power, and the lives of Camden’s Black and Latino residents.The awards committee praised Miller’s ability to highlight the essential context to the decisions made by political, business, and civic leaders in Camden.

Throughout 2025, Miller’s work became a vital resource for residents navigating a rapidly changing city. His columns challenge the status quo of political and corporate influence, examining how legacy institutions like Campbell Soup have shaped racial and economic inequality. His writing has traced the long-term effects of corporate-led development and gentrification, highlighting the impact of the political machine as a neo-colonialist entity.

The ceremony also featured a keynote address from Gov. Mikie Sherrill, who emphasized the indispensable role that local journalists play in a healthy democracy. Sherrill about how ethnic and community media outlets are often the only ones “shedding light on untold local stories” that larger outlets overlook. For New Jersey Urban News, the award serves as a testament to the importance of community-centric journalism. As Camden continues to evolve, “Camden Front and Center” remains a necessary platform for those seeking to understand the true cost of progress.