Event Info
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the voices, stories, and creators that make Brooklyn Free Speech a vibrant hub for community media.
The B Free Awards honors the outstanding work of BRIC’s community producers—visionary storytellers who use media to inform, inspire, and reflect the diverse communities of Brooklyn. From powerful documentaries and original series to innovative storytelling across platforms, this event recognizes excellence in community-driven content and the impact it has both locally and beyond.
What to Expect
The evening will feature a dynamic program that brings together community producers, industry professionals, and supporters of independent media. Guests will enjoy:
- A red carpet arrival celebrating this year’s nominees
- A awards ceremony recognizing outstanding achievements in community media
- Screenings and highlights of nominated work
- Opportunities to connect with creators, partners, and supporters
- A festive atmosphere with food, music, and celebration
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B Free Awards – Honoring Our Legends
At the heart of the B Free Awards is a celebration of legacy, impact, and the pioneers who helped shape the spirit of community media.
The Public Access Legend Award recognizes extraordinary trailblazers whose passion, creativity, and commitment to public access television have left an enduring mark on our community. Through years of meaningful storytelling, mentorship, and volunteerism, these honorees have helped build the foundation upon which Brooklyn Free Speech continues to thrive.
This award is not only a recognition of past achievements—it is a tribute to the vision, resilience, and community-centered work that continues to inspire the next generation of creators.
2026 Honorees
We are proud to celebrate this year’s Public Access Legends:
- Bernice “Boom Boom” Brooks
- Victoria “Lady V” Amoo
- Pedro Solar
- Sandy Solar
Join us as we honor these remarkable individuals whose voices, stories, and dedication have shaped the legacy of public access and continue to elevate community media today.
B Free Awards Categories 2026
Category Nominees
WOW! FACTOR
The WOW! Factor Award celebrates an on-air personality who captivates audiences with an unforgettable presence. Whether it’s through a traditional hosting style or a uniquely compelling on-screen energy, this individual has that special something — the WOW! Factor — that keeps viewers engaged and wanting more.
Nominees:
- Christopher Albert De La Roa - Junk and Jam Live
- LuciaGrillo - Lucia's Vegan Lifestyle
- Marcus Watkins- When She No Longer Cooks For You, Here's What You Do
- Patrice Francois- The Mss Francois Show
- Tonia Grady - GradygirlTV
SPIRIT AND BEING
The Spirit and Being Award recognizes programming that nurtures the spiritual, mental, physical, or overall well-being of its audience. This category honors content that promotes healing, self-care, mindfulness, personal growth, or community wellness.
Nominees:
- Brandon Bain - The Gym Within
- Desiree Rucker - Culture Matters
- Lisa Baxter - The Lisa Baxter Show
- Lottie Shannon - Keeping It Real with Shannon
- Lucia Grillo - Lucia's Vegan Lifestyle
B Artistic
The B Artistic Award honors those who advance the arts through media, celebrating creators and their contributions to the cultural fabric of their communities. Their dedication to artistic excellence and their ability to highlight the significance of the arts in society underscore the enduring impact of creativity and expression in our lives.
Nominees:
- Candace Mitchell - Pole(osophy)
- Jerome A. Parker - Black Queen Screen Tests
- MitchCorber - Poetry Thin Air
- Nancy Gesimondo - Access Studio
- Rome Neal - Rome Neal's Banana Pudding Jazz
B Cinematic
The B Cinematic Award celebrates the creative visionaries behind these exceptional productions, acknowledging their dedication to crafting stories that entertain, inspire, and provoke thought. Their work sets a benchmark for excellence in scripted programming leaving a lasting impact on audiences.
Nominees:
- James Gaskins - It's About Time TV1
- Jerome Parker - Black Queen Screen Tests
B Documented
This award honors excellence in non-fiction, documentary programming with an emphasis on engaging storytelling and high production value, that turn a lens on real world stories.
Nominees:
- Adonis Williams- Safe At Home: Breaking The Cycle
- Caroline Mardok- Water Guardians
- Cordell Mccammon - The Chancellor of Fulton Street
- Odu Adamu - WE CALL IT BALLROOM
- Stephanie Jones - The Jones Twins: Bebop Souls in a Muzak World
B Harmonious
The B Harmonious Award honors excellence in music programming, celebrating the outstanding presentation of live music, music videos, and music talk shows. This award recognizes creators who bring exceptional made for television musical experiences to audiences through innovative and captivating content.
Nominees:
- Emile Charles – POSSETV
- Fuquan Findley - GstarFuFu - "Bea Wit it"
- Jah Dreddz - Live That SINY
- DJ COMETESSA -PlugmeTV DJ COMETESSA
- Sonnie Picallo - Trapdoor Live at ERF World
B Informed
The B Informed Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have demonstrated excellence in providing informative and insightful media content that educates, empowers, and enlightens the community. This award honors those who play a vital role in keeping the community informed and engaged.
Nominees:
- Akinyele Stephen - Tradingphotos
- Gregori Romenski - Zurmed
- Kimberly Singleton - Consider It Blacklit
- Michele Avery - Free Black Women's Library
- Oscar Segal - The Oscar Show
B Free First Amendment
The B Free First Amendment Award is given for work that has advanced or strengthened the notion of Free Speech in the community. The show could document outside work around the First Amendment or be a program which pushes the limits of Free Speech.
Nominees:
- Brother-Michael Cox - PIPE TV Tanja Hayes Interviews Angeline Butler
- Chris Concepts - Chris Music Concepts
- Edward Lee - the djelf7 show
- Jolie-Anne Brosseau - El Único Cocinero en Nueva York
- Ron Rondon - Road Trip with Ron Rondon
Global Voices
The Global Voices in Media award recognizes individuals or organizations that have demonstrated exemplary efforts in using media to celebrate and preserve the diversity of languages and cultures within community media. This award honors those who have made significant contributions to promoting cross-cultural understanding, linguistic diversity, and multiculturalism through media content.
Nominees:
- Andrew Bailey - Big Drum: From Carriacou to Brooklyn
- Julia O'Farrow - Jaygeeoh Presents: Lakou Exhibition
- Xavier Diaz - Somos Cumbia, Somos Familia
NextGen
The NextGen Award celebrates the remarkable contributions and achievements of young individuals who are making a significant impact in the field of media. This prestigious accolade recognizes the talent, creativity, and dedication of youth who are harnessing the power of community media.
The Youth Contribution to Media Award honors the courage, creativity, and resilience of young media professionals who are leading by example and inspiring others to follow their passions and pursue their dreams in the dynamic and ever-evolving world of community media. Their dedication serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations of storytellers and creatives.
Nominees:
- Art Kurtz - The Game Show Block Party
- Ziyne Abdo - Taking the Helm
Production Craftsmanship
The Production Craftsmanship Award celebrates creators who demonstrate outstanding craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation in the field of media production. This award recognizes excellence in production. Recipients of this prestigious award exemplify mastery in their craft, combining technical expertise with artistic vision to produce impactful content.
Nominees:
- Brice Kelsch - Dancer
- Candace Mitchell - Pole(osophy)
- Chuck Moss & Beryl Benbow - Shadows Unleashed
Community Voices in Podcasting
The Community Voices in Podcast award celebrates the power of podcasting as a platform for amplifying diverse voices and fostering community engagement. This award recognizes podcasters who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, creativity, and authenticity in sharing the stories, perspectives, and experiences through Brooklyn Free Speech Radio.
Nominees:
- Alfonso Siverls - Jazz, Just The Way We Like It
- Christopher Albert De La Roa - The Junk and Jam Experience
- Julia O'Farrow - Jaygeeoh Presents: Tee shirt tales Podcast
- Karla Carrington - 50ish & Fab: The Hot Flash Report
- Kimberly Singleton - Consider It Blacklit Podcast