Huge congrats to friend of Emancipate NC on the 2025 Stillwater Award for Journalist of the Year!
From Phill:
“Earlier today I found out that I won the 2025 Stillwater Award for Journalist of the Year. This award only applies to incarcerated people, but it is a milestone for me. I look up to so many imprisoned writers: John J. Lennon, Chris Blackwell, and Kwaneta Harris. I hope this is the first of many awards, I’ll enjoy the moment.
With that said, I need to thank the people who got me here. First and foremost is Emily Nonko. Without her hard work, many of the known names in the prison journalism field would be unknown. She helped put many of us on the map, and I’m happy that she took a chance on me. I was a beginner when she took me under her wing. She helped me build my team, starting with Jon Campbell and Giulia Hjort, people who I rely on. L, you know who you are. And I also need to thank Amy and Jacqui for running their social media fan accounts, introducing so many to the work of Phillip Vance Smith, II.
I also need to thank all of you, my supporters, who connect me to editors and give me advice on what the world needs to hear from prisoners. I started this journey to end the age of mass incarceration. I will end with that goal in mind. And I hope to improve the lives of the people I’m pulling time with, from LA jails to NY prisons, along the way.
I can do none of it without you! Thanks for your support.”