The Charlotte Post, a prominent voice in local journalism, recently garnered significant recognition at the North Carolina Press Association’s annual journalism contest, showcasing its commitment to quality reporting and community engagement. The publication earned four prestigious awards, solidifying its status among the largest community news outlets in the state.
### Awards and Achievements
This year’s contest highlighted the talents of The Charlotte Post’s newsgathering team, led by experienced journalists Herb White and Kylie Marsh. The awards ceremony is set to take place on September 18 in Cary, where the contributions of these dedicated professionals will be celebrated. White emphasized the inherent value of these accolades, stating, “The awards are testament to the talent of the men and women who power our newsgathering team and the readers we’re working for.” This sentiment underlines the importance of serving the community through accurate and impactful journalism.
### Individual Honors for Herb White
Herb White’s accomplishments were particularly noteworthy, as he secured two awards for his compelling articles. He was awarded first place in Sports Feature Writing for his profile of Maurice Flowers, the football coach at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). The article, titled “JCSU coach takes homegrown approach to football relevance,” delves into Flowers’ innovative coaching strategies aimed at revitalizing a program that had historically struggled. His dedication to local talent and a community-oriented approach has transformed the Golden Bulls into a competitive force in college football.
In addition to his sports coverage, White brought home a second-place award in Election/Political Reporting. His piece, “Trail of a ‘coup’ by legislative authority,” investigates a controversial North Carolina bill that sought to reassess the powers of the state’s elected officials. This article chronicles the intense political landscape surrounding the bill that, while positioned as disaster relief following Hurricane Helene, included critical recommendations that altered the governance of the state’s electoral processes. The depth of reporting provided readers with insights into the complexities of local governance and political maneuvering.
### Kylie Marsh’s Recognition
Kylie Marsh also made her mark on the awards scene, earning a third-place honor in Beat News Reporting. Her article, “I don’t have any roots: the pain in housing displacement,” brings to light the hardships faced by working-class communities grappling with gentrification. In this engaging piece, Marsh provides a critical examination of how rising housing costs and displacement threaten the fabric of neighborhoods and disrupt lives.
Additionally, the article highlights the efforts of the Redress Movement, a national nonprofit dedicated to addressing the legacies of housing segregation and advocating for community smart growth initiatives. By intertwining individual narratives with broader societal issues, Marsh’s reporting exemplifies journalism’s power to amplify marginalized voices.
### Team Recognition in Sports Coverage
The collective efforts of The Charlotte Post’s staff were also acknowledged in their sports reporting category. The publication earned second place in Sports Coverage for its comprehensive reports throughout March 2025. The coverage included in-depth articles on various topics: Jeff Hawkins examined the Carolina Panthers’ preparations and talent evaluations leading up to the NFL draft, while Cameron Williams reported on the Atlantic Coast Conference basketball tournament. Herb White contributed stories on JCSU football and Charlotte FC, also covering FIFA’s announcement of Charlotte as a host city for the Club World Cup. This diverse range of topics illustrates The Charlotte Post’s versatility in covering regional sports narratives.
### Community Connection
The accolades received by The Charlotte Post reflect not only excellence in journalism but a genuine commitment to serving the community. Each article reinforces the publication’s mission to engage with local issues, provide a platform for important voices, and hold leaders accountable. As a vital source of information, The Charlotte Post continues to uphold journalistic integrity while fostering a deeper understanding of the challenges and achievements within its community.