Our collective work has garnered important recognition, thanks to the generous individuals who choose to support us with donations and subscriptions. Let’s explore the accolades we’ve achieved together.
In May, we were honored as a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Explanatory Reporting for “40 Acres and a Lie,” a project developed in partnership with the Center for Public Integrity over the course of a year. Investigative reporters delved into a widely known narrative-the promise of “40 acres and a mule” to formerly enslaved people after the Civil War-and revealed it was never fully realized. However, the inquiry uncovered a more disturbing truth: many Black families did receive land titles in Georgia and the Carolinas, only to have those titles unjustly revoked and returned to their former enslavers. The reporting team developed an AI program to analyze handwritten records from the Freedmen’s Bureau, the federal agency responsible for assisting formerly enslaved people in their transition to freedom, to bring this story to light. These records represent a valuable resource for countless Americans seeking ancestral information, and this project has made them readily accessible and searchable.
This impactful reporting also led to a three-part radio/podcast series,six detailed features and essays,an AI database,a video presentation,and a special edition of the magazine. You can explore all components of the project here.
The project was also awarded a National Magazine Award, often referred to as an “Ellie”-considered the highest honor in the magazine industry. Furthermore, it played a key role in Mother Jones being recognized for General Excellence-akin to a “Best Picture” award-acknowledging coverage that also included a profile of a mass shooter’s mother and a extensive issue focused on American oligarchy,featuring Elon Musk,Mark Zuckerberg,Jeff Bezos,and Donald Trump on the cover-a scene reminiscent of their public appearances. (The cover itself was also a finalist for the “Cover of the Year” award.)
The expansion also enabled us to deliver impactful,truthful reporting to video platforms,reaching a broader audience,notably younger demographics. Our video correspondent, Garrison Hayes, was named Best Creator on social media by the Webby awards. Additionally, our feature film, The Grab, which examines the global competition for control of water resources, has received four Emmy nominations. According to a recent report by the World Resources Institute (December 2