Often when working as a researcher you put your head down and do the work never thinking the notoriety the project may garner or awards the finished products might receive. This was the case for Vicki McGill when working on “40 Acres and A Lie” which was featured by Reveal Podcast throughout February for Black History Month 2025. Spending two years working on the project Vicki was satisfied to see and hear published products. The one day in early May 2025 while listening to the latest Reveal episode she heard host Al Letson announce “40 Acres and a Lie” was recognized as The 2025 Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Explanatory Reporting!
WHAT a Pulitzer…long known for recognizing excellence in journalism…A PULITZER…that never even crossed Vicki’s mind! At hearing this announcement she could only holler and look online for the wonderful information. While the researchers on this project were not part of the announcement, just knowing your research was the basis for multiple published products which garnered the recognition of consideration by the Pulitzer Prize Board was just mind blowing.
Full announcement: https://www.pulitzer.org/node/alexia-campbell-april-simpson-and-pratheek-rebala-center-public-integrity-nadia-hamdan-reveal