Jamie Kalven

Jamie Kalven, a distinguished author and journalist, is the founder of the Invisible Institute, a non-profit journalism organization dedicated to transparency and accountability in Chicago. After spending 14 years completing his father’s unfinished manuscript, ‘A Worthy Tradition: Freedom of Speech in America,’ published in 1988, Jamie Kalven went on to become a distinguished author and journalist, focusing on human rights, transparency, and accountability. He further solidified his reputation with the publication of his memoir, ‘Working with Available Light: A Family’s World After Violence,’ in 1999. In the early 2000s, Kalven’s deep involvement in investigating root causes of violence, poverty, and racial divisions led him to become deeply involved in Chicago’s Stateway Gardens housing development, reporting extensively on living conditions and police misconduct.

His investigative work notably included obtaining and revealing the autopsy report, which directly contradicted official police accounts. This groundbreaking reporting earned him significant accolades, including the prestigious George Polk Award for Local Reporting in 2015 and the Ridenhour Courage Prize in 2016. He was also honored with the Hillman Prize for Web Journalism in 2017 for his impactful series, “Code of Silence.” Kalven’s work further extended into film, co-producing the acclaimed documentary ’16 Shots’ in 2019. Under Kalven’s leadership, the Invisible Institute achieved its pinnacle, winning the highly coveted 2021 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting.

He transitioned from his role as director of the Invisible Institute in 2021, continuing his dedicated focus on human rights reporting. His enduring commitment to journalistic independence was further recognized in 2022, when he was awarded the esteemed I. F. Stone Medal for Journalistic Independence.

Kalven remains an influential voice and practitioner in investigative journalism and civil rights advocacy.