85 Years of Storytelling Excellence with the Peabody Awards

Celebrating 85 years of the Peabody Awards, storytelling remains the ultimate currency. #StoriesThatMatter is more than a slogan; it’s a legacy that champions diverse voices. This year’s winners, like the eye-opening “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story” and the bold “We Are Lady Parts,” showcase narratives that challenge and inspire.

And as a regular Marketing Communications Consultant for the Peabodys, I'm grateful to regularly witness firsthand how these stories reshape our world. Here’s to the creators pushing boundaries! 🫵🏾

From the golden age of radio to the algorithm-driven landscape of TikTok, the Peabody Awards have embraced evolution while steadfastly honoring narratives that amplify the voices of the unheard and help us reimagine our world.

And this year’s winners? Chef’s kiss 🤌🏾! We’re talking about eye-opening documentaries like “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story,” which shines a spotlight on the groundbreaking life of trans soul/R&B legend Jackie Shane. Then there’s the hilarious music comedy “We Are Lady Parts,” featuring an all-female, all-Muslim punk band that’s as bold as it is brilliant. Let’s not forget influencers like ‘Medical Mythbuster’ Dr. Joel Bervell, who takes to TikTok to tackle medical misinformation and highlight the biases that disproportionately affect people of color. These stories, celebrated on June 1, don’t just mirror reality; they remix it, challenge it, and sometimes body slam it into our collective consciousness!

I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work with the Peabodys as a consultant for several years, and this year marked their second return to in-person ceremonies in LA; and my very first attendance 😎! With the hilarious Roy Wood Jr. as our host, I felt inspired not just as a storyteller but as a fellow human being. What unites this year’s winners is their ability to showcase everyday heroes whose stories can, will, and continue to leave a lasting impact on everything they touch.

And let’s be real: as someone who studies pro wrestling, I’m always saying that storytelling is everywhere—whether it’s in the ring, the arena, the boardroom, or even your browser. Peabody gets that! That’s why they broadened their scope in recent years to recognize powerful storytelling in interactive and immersive media. This is media that moves, breathes, and hits you right in the feels, both on your screen and in your heart.

Watch a beautiful highlight video package showing 85 Years of Stories That Matter below.

Shout out to the creators, disruptors, and visionaries holding the pen, mic, cam, and controller! Your stories matter. And to my Peabody crew? ✊🏾 They’re here for all of it. So am I. Let’s keep pushing boundaries! 🫵🏾

Watch every moment of the  85th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony with Jon Hamm, Roy Wood Jr., SNL's Lorne Michaels, Kerry Washington and MORE right here on Peabody's Video Playlist.