Baltimore Magazine Receives 12 CRMA Finalist Nominations

The City and Regional Magazine Association (CRMA) recently released the list of finalists for its annual industry awards, and Baltimore magazine was honored to receive a total of 12 nominations. The magazine was recognized with nods for editorial, art, digital, and weddings coverage, as well as in the coveted General Excellence category.

For nearly four decades, more than 100 CRMA judges hailing from publications across the country—including the likes of The Atlantic and The New York Times—have selected finalists in the annual competition. This year, Baltimore is among 175 contenders that were narrowed down, in coordination with The Missouri School of Journalism, in 35 categories.

Baltimore‘s editorial team received three nominations, two of which were for work by senior editor Ron Cassie. “The Many Trials of Keith Davis Jr.”—Cassie’s investigative piece on Davis Jr.’s fight for freedom after being tried a record four times for the same murder without sustaining a conviction—was recognized in the Reporting category, while his back-page column “You Are Here,” which documents observations of life in Baltimore, was nominated for the Herb Lipson Award for Column Excellence. Senior editor Lydia Woolever received praise in the Civic Journalism category for her story, “Turning Tides,” which examines the Eastern Shore’s reckoning with its racist past.

Creative director Amanda White-Iseli clinched a Spread Design nod for her work on “Lamar,” senior contributor Corey McLaughlin’s profile of the Ravens’ superstar quarterback Lamar Jackson. Finalists in the Feature Design award included White-Iseli’s work on last year’s “America in Miniature” (by Ron Cassie) and “Dining Awards” (by Jane Marion) service packages. Additionally, the association commended our “RoFO Nation” love letter to Royal Farms by naming it a finalist for best use of Illustrations and Graphics. The art team, which also includes assistant art director Alicia Corman and production manager Jon Timian, was especially proud to receive a nomination for Cover Excellence, which specifically praises our June, August, and October covers.

Under the stewardship of managing editor Janelle Erlichman Diamond and art director Staci Lanham, Baltimore Weddings took home a nod in the Ancillary: Weddings category.

On the digital side, Baltimore’s daily website was recognized for Excellence Online. Digital senior editor Lauren Cohen and contributing digital designer Aaron Hope were also pleased to have been given a nomination for Multiplatform Storytelling, honoring Woolever’s piece, “Crab Country,” a deep-dive into the world of crabbing on the Chesapeake Bay.

Last, but certainly not least, the magazine’s entire staff was acknowledged with a nomination in the prestigious General Excellence category for the third consecutive year. As always, Baltimore is honored to be included among such distinguished colleagues in the national publishing industry—knowing that we could not have been recognized without the support of this city.

Judges named five finalists in each category and will announce the final winners at CRMA’s conference in St. Louis this May.