San Francisco — The Society of Professional Journalists, Northern California chapter, presents its 40th Annual Excellence in Journalism Awards in a ceremony to be held Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, 5:30 p.m., at the Ruth Williams Opera House, 4705 Third St.
San Francisco Bay View Executive Editor Kevin Epps, one of seven top award winners, is being honored with the Silver Heart Award. In its announcement of all the 2025 awards, SPJ describes his as follows:
“Kevin Epps receives this year’s Silver Heart Award. When the San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper was on the brink of closure, Epps stepped in as executive editor to stabilize it, revitalize the newsroom and reconnect it to the people it serves. He brought fresh energy, multimedia storytelling and digital innovation to one of the Bay Area’s last Black-owned newspapers, ensuring that it remains a vital platform for truth. Through journalism and film, including his groundbreaking documentary, “Straight Outta Hunters Point,” Epps amplifies voices often ignored, while mentoring young writers and artists. His leadership has saved a treasured institution and strengthened the heartbeat of Black media in San Francisco.”
The Bay View invites readers and friends to pack the Ruth Williams Opera House, 4705 Third St., San Francisco, at 5:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here (https://spj.networkforgood.com/events/93324-spj-norcal-2025-excellence-in-journalism-awards). Early bird pricing is available through Wednesday, Nov. 5. Show your support for Kevin Epps, the Bay View newspaper and free speech.
About the Society of Professional Journalists
The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry through the daily work of its nearly 10,000 members; works to inspire and educate current and future journalists through professional development; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press through its advocacy efforts.
The Northern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is a longstanding institution that works to support journalists based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and cities and towns throughout the region. We advocate on issues that affect full-time news staff and freelancers alike. We host conferences, programs, workshops and other networking opportunities to support professional growth and development.
For more than three decades, SPJ NorCal has hosted two annual awards banquets to highlight outstanding work. In the fall, the Excellence in Journalism Awards is held to recognize extraordinary contributions in news over the past year and to honor long-term accomplishments with accolades like the Career Achievement award. In the springtime, SPJ NorCal’s Freedom of Information Committee hosts the annual James Madison Freedom of Information Awards banquet to highlight journalistic work that has bolstered the principles of government transparency and accountability.
In 2015, two dozen journalists serving sentences at San Quentin State Prison formed the first chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists inside a prison in the U.S. Today, 41 SPJ members working behind the walls as print, audio and video journalists, write, produce and publish their work in local and national publications including the San Jose Mercury News, The Marshall Project, Life of the Law, KALW News, the San Quentin News, Easy Street Magazine and others. SPJ NorCal sponsors the SPJ Satellite Chapter at San Quentin, assisting with membership dues, professional development and facilitating submission of members’ work for awards.
