Byrne Kean Dinner 2025
Please join us for the fifth annual Byrne Kean Dinner, featuring the NJ Journalism Impact Awards, celebrating local journalism. This special evening recognizes impactful reporting and civic leadership that strengthen New Jersey’s communities and democracy.
This signature event is taking place at the Park Avenue Club, and funds raised will benefit the Corporation for New Jersey Local Media (CNJLM), a nonprofit that builds strong communities through journalism and civic engagement.
Specifically, proceeds from this year’s dinner help fund CNJLM’s programming, which includes webinars, documentaries, and acquisitions of local newspapers like the NJ Hills Media Group and the West Essex Tribune – 13 local weekly papers – all in service of strengthening our local news ecosystem and promoting balanced, quality journalism.
For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, and ads click the button below.
2025 New Jersey Journalism Impact Awards
The Corporation for New Jersey Local Media is proud to present the New Jersey Journalism Impact Awards in six categories—five honoring journalists and one recognizing a non-journalist whose leadership has strengthened the state’s news landscape.
Loretta Weinberg Award for Civic Leadership in Journalism
Scott Kobler — honored for his decades of fearless leadership at NJ PBS and his steadfast dedication to preserving independent journalism in New Jersey.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Liz Parker — recognized for more than four decades of exceptional leadership in community journalism and a career defined by integrity, innovation, and public service.
State Impact Awards
Jean Rimbach and Ashley Balcerzak, northjersey.com — for “Hidden at Home: How NJ Fails Its Most Vulnerable,” a powerful investigation into the state’s failing group home system.
Spencer Kent, NJ.com — for “Mainstreaming Hate,” an in-depth look at the rise of extremism and efforts to confront hate across New Jersey.
Local Impact Award
Andres Kudacki, The Jersey Vindicator — for “How It Unfolded: The Arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka at the Delaney Hall ICE Site,” a story capturing the intersection of activism, government, and community accountability.
Student Journalism Awards
High School Impact Award
The Jersey Bee, Newark — for “Newark Students’ Guide to Voting in Local School Board Elections,” a project empowering peers to engage in civic life.
College/University Impact Awards
South Jersey Climate News (Rowan University and Atlantic Cape Community College) — for reporting on environmental issues in South Jersey and the collaboration between two campuses to expand local coverage.
The Setonian, Seton Hall University — for its courageous reporting on sexual abuse and accountability on campus.
All award recipients are selected by an independent committee of external judges through a fair and unbiased process.
