James Harris is the Director of Community Media at SPEAK MPLS and is a media maker, storyteller, and educator with 10 years of experience working in community media.
James’ deep passion for the field brings infectious energy and enthusiasm, inspiring everyone around him. He exemplifies the values of building community through media and has consistently demonstrated leadership in the field. Throughout his career, he has had roles at Saint Paul Neighborhood Network (SPNN), CreaTV San Jose, and now at SPEAK MPLS, James has made a profound impact by empowering youth and creating opportunities for education and engagement for all people.
His approach to leadership is rooted in inclusivity and empathy, ensuring everyone has the support and tools they need to share their stories and create meaningful media. As a media maker and member of the LGBTQ+ community, James believes that media is a powerful tool for sharing experiences and fostering healing.
He’s played a key role in amplifying the stories of the LGBTQ+ community, including leading our partnership with Twin Cities Pride to highlight the history and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals in the Twin Cities. His passion for storytelling and commitment to bringing diverse voices together shine through in everything he does. James leads by example, always ready to support anyone, regardless of background or beliefs.
List of Winners by Year
2025 - James Harris, SPEAK MPLS
2024 - Chris Loos, (iDream Society)
2023- Leon Taylor
2022 -
Zenaida Mendez
2021 -
Jean Lewis, Community Media Center of Carrol County
2020 -
Kathryn "KatMeow" Garcia
2019 -
Shannon Gee, Seattle Channel
2018 -
Tia Price
2017 -
T-Time in Olympia (Presented to producers Staci Layton, Amy Layton, Lucas Miller, and Melissa Miller)
2016 -
Bepsie Perry, Hello! West Hartford
2015 –
Jennifer Dynes, MetroEast Community Media
2014 -
Chag Lowry, Native Cultures Fund, part of the Humboldt Area Foundation
2013 – Kim Lawson, CreaTV San Jose
2012 – Kwame McDonald, St. Paul Neighborhood Network
2010 – Richard Rosenthal
2009 – Cherie Tessier
2008 – Graciela Rivera Oven
2007 – Michael Zinzin
2006 – Edmund Broussard, Berkeley Community Media
2005 – Malkia Cyril
2004 – Thenmozhi Sondararajan
2003 – Tarek Bagdadi, Minneapolis Telecommunications Network
2002 – Onida Coward-Mayers
2001 – Azaka Ajanaku
2000 – Ben and Sue Charles – Native Media (Tacoma, Washington)
1999 – Richard Turner
1998 – CeCe Pinheiro
1997 – Fernando Moreno
1996 – Rick Maultra
1995 – Maggie Johnson-Reese
1994 – Curtis Henderson
1993 – Jewell Ryan-White