Last night in Detroit, the LIFT Project and the Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources (IJNR) gathered to celebrate the inaugural New Wave Award, honoring early-career reporters for their pursuit of excellence in environmental journalism. This year, we honored Jenae Barnes for her work as the "magic well water lady" and her critical reporting for Capital B Gary about dangerous water contamination of a popular artesian well. Documenting these milestones through visual st

The LIFT Project team is committed to uplifting the community-engaged journalism and community voices, driving narrative change, and enriching healthy information systems. We are thrilled to invite you to join us virtually for an incredible evening of reflection, recognition, and robust discussion! On May 26, we are broadcasting live from the historic Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit for the presentation of the New Wave Award for Excellence in E

We are thrilled to announce Jenae Barnes as the inaugural recipient of the New Wave Award for Excellence in Environmental Journalism. The New Wave Award was created to elevate a new generation of journalists who are tackling critical, high-stakes environmental issues early in their careers. The New Wave Award is made possible through collaborative efforts from The LIFT Project at Michigan State University’s School of Journalism and the Institute for Journalism and Natural Res