James Muhammad, president and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media, was presented a 2022 Richard Allen Award during the recent United Negro College Fund Scholarship Gala hosted at Allen University.
The award recognizes individuals who have led efforts to educate youth and who have made exceptional contributions to society.
“It is truly an honor to be recognized by such an esteemed organization,” Muhammad said. “I’m very proud of my years of service through public media and the impact it has had on society, especially our community here in Northwest Indiana.”
Muhammad is the first African American to serve as president and CEO at Lakeshore Public Media, and one of only a handful of African Americans responsible for a joint PBS and NPR operation. Since his arrival in 2013, Muhammad has led Lakeshore Public Media to six Silver Telly Awards, a Gold Telly Award, a Public Media Award, and an Emmy.
For his leadership at Lakeshore and in public media, Muhammad was named to the 2020 Public Media Honor Roll and also received a 2020 Entrepreneurial Excellence Award from the Northwest Indiana Small Business Development Center.
Muhammad began his career at Alabama Public Radio at the University of Alabama and has also worked for NPR station WCBU at Bradley University and West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Muhammad serves on the board of the Indiana Broadcasters Association and the Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations Association.
