PMJA Presents Inaugural New Voices Award to Gerard Albert III of Blue Ridge Public Radio

PMJA is pleased to announce that its first Public Media New Voices Award will go to Gerard Albert III, a reporter and Report For America corps member at Blue Ridge Public Radio in Asheville, North Carolina. 

The new award was established to celebrate rising stars who exemplify the values of public service journalism, excellence and innovative storytelling in addition to PMJA’s other annual honors, the Editor of the Year and Leo C. Lee Awards.

Albert said he is honored and thankful to PMJA for “recognizing the work of young reporters who will have to navigate a career field whose future can, at times, seem dark.”

Albert was nominated by BPR news director Laura Lee, who outlined the broad range of exceptional work he’s done covering rural communities since joining the station in July 2024. Just three months after joining the team, he became an integral part of covering Hurricane Helene, the worst natural disaster in the state’s history. 

He spent many nights sleeping on the studio floor while providing critical information to listeners experiencing washed out roads, downed power and cell lines and flooded homes and businesses. 

“Gerard blends a soft, patient and approachable interview style with a tenacious and aggressive pursuit of truth,” Lee said in her nomination. “His work on misinformation in the storm uncovered how a high-profile relief group misconstrued the death toll and rescue efforts for their own gain.”

Before joining BPR, Albert worked with WLRN Radio in Miami where he earned national awards for his coverage of the Parkland shooter trial. 

“My tenure in public radio has been marked by several tragedies, including the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooter trial and Hurricane Helene. Events like these shape communities and it is the role of public radio to tell the stories and share the voices of those most affected with precise detail and genuine compassion.”

While covering Hurricane Helene, Albert taught himself data analytics skills to analyze FEMA housing data, producing an in-depth, comprehensive look at who accepted or rejected FEMA aid. He also showcased the personal stories of loss and resilience, interviewing displaced residents across the region.

Albert is also an accomplished photographer, providing excellent visuals for the BPR website and he leverages his Spanish abilities for inclusive coverage.

In his free time, Albert volunteers at a high school journalism program where students appreciate his attentive coaching and playful nature.

Six months after the storm, Albert once again found himself working nonstop as the region endured wildfires. He continues to produce high-quality journalism, ensuring communities in crisis have access to vital information.

Gerard Albert III will be honored with the award at the PMJA Conference in June. 

The Public Media New Voices Award recognizes an exceptional early-career journalist making a significant impact within public media. The award celebrates rising stars who exemplify the values of public service journalism, excellence and innovative storytelling.