AWARDS
2021 National Society of Newspaper Columnists Second place: Social Justice Columns
2020 International Examiner Community Voice Award for Excellence in Journalism
2020 Best of the West Competition First place: Special Topics Column Writing
2019 Seattle Globalist “Globie” Awards: Journalist of the Year
2018 SPJ W. Wash. Competition First place: Feature photography, City Arts Magazine, “Whip Your Hair”
2011 SPJ W. Wash. Competition Second place: Science and Health Reporting, Seattle Magazine, “Henry Lai makes waves in the cell phone industry”
2009 SPJ W. Wash. Competition First place: Editorial Writing, ColorsNW Magazine, “Race and the 2008 Election”Second place: Editorial Writing, ColorsNW Magazine, “Wing Luke Asian Museum”
2008 SPJ W. Wash. Competition First place: Editorial Writing, ColorsNW Magazine, “Lt. Ehren Watada”
2007 SPJ W. Wash. Competition Second place: ColorsNW Magazine, Editorial Writing Second place: ColorsNW Magazine, Columns
2006 SPJ W. Wash. Competition –
ColorsNW Wins Sweepstakes Award for Overall Best Magazine in Region
First place: Social Issues, ColorsNW Magazine, “Katrina/Rita’s Impact on Our Communities”
First place: Arts & Criticism, ColorsNW Magazine, “Class is in Session: Blue Scholars”
Second place: Editorials, ColorsNW Magazine, “Katrina”
Second place: Page Design, ColorsNW Magazine,
2004 SPJ W. Wash. Competition First place: Editorial Writing, ColorsNW Magazine,
2003 SPJ W. Wash. Competition First place: Editorial Writing, ColorsNW Magazine,
2002 SPJ W. Wash. Competition Third place: Editorial Writing, ColorsNW Magazine,Second place: Page Design, ColorsNW Magazine
MISC. AWARDS, HONORS
PHOTOGRAPHY
2017: Ethnic Artist Roster, City of Seattle
CURATOR/ARTIST
2015: Columbia City Gallery - Curator, artist, Humanity Not Negotiable: Black Lives Matter, April-May 2015, juried show
2015: Equal Rights Washington - Curator, artist, Black Lives Matter show
2015: Art of the City - Curator, artist, Black Lives Matter show
2015: South Lake Union Art Walk - Curator, artist, Black Lives Matter show
ARTIST
2019: Community 4 Culture Grant recipient
2017-Present: Photographer for Black Bois project
2016: 21 Progress Social Justice Art Gallery - Won Second Place - #BlackSpring
2016: "13th" film by Ava DuVernay, 20 photos of local Black Lives Matter protests were used in the film
2016: Photographer for Common Ground Music Project trip to Cuba
2014: Experience Music Project Youth Advisory Board gallery - #BlackoutBlackFriday protest photo,
2015: Seattle Public Utilities, Cultural Perspectives, Portable Works Collection - #BlackoutBlackFriday protest photo
JOURNALISM
2008: Institute for Justice and Journalism immigration fellow
2008: Poynter Institute elections coverage seminar participant
2006: National New America Media Award for excellence in Ethnic Media, honors ColorsNW for story on the effect of detention policies on immigrants www.newamericamedia.org.
2006: Knight Center for Specialized Journalism Seminar Fellowship for immigration
2006: Minority Executive Director’s Coalition (MEDC) presents ColorsNW with an award for ‘Advocacy to Communities of Color’
2006: Entre Hermanos, a Latino GLBT organization, presents community service award
2005: German Marshall Fund AMMF Fellowship presented to Naomi Ishisaka. One of 50 nationwide selected for a month-long fellowship of cultural exchange with Europe.
2004: Aki Kurose Peace and Justice Award for leaders under 30As Editor, ColorsNW received more than 50 awards for excellence in journalism and community service. In addition, Ishisaka personally won first place awards from the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) for commentary, page design and feature writing.
Personal Awards
2008 SPJ W. Wash. Competition First place: Editorial Writing, “Lt. Ehren Watada”
2007 SPJ W. Wash. Competition Second place: Editorial Writing Second place: Columns
2006 SPJ W. Wash. Competition – ColorsNW Wins Sweepstakes Award for Overall Best Magazine in Region First place: Social Issues, “Katrina/Rita’s Impact on Our Communities” First place: Arts & Criticism, “Class is in Session: Blue Scholars” Second place: Editorials, “Katrina” Second place: Page Design
2004 SPJ W. Wash. Competition First place: Editorial Writing
2003 SPJ W. Wash. Competition First place: Editorial Writing
2002 SPJ W. Wash. Competition Third place: Editorial Writing Second place: Page Design
Misc. Awards, Honors
2008:
Institute for Justice and Journalism immigration fellow
Poynter Institute elections coverage seminar participant
2006:
National New America Media Award for excellence in Ethnic Media, honors ColorsNW for story on the effect of detention policies on immigrants www.newamericamedia.org.
Knight Center for Specialized Journalism Seminar Fellowship for immigration
Minority Executive Director’s Coalition (MEDC) presents ColorsNW with an award for ‘Advocacy to Communities of Color’
Entre Hermanos, a Latino GLBT organization, presents community service award
2005:
German Marshall Fund AMMF Fellowship presented to Naomi Ishisaka. One of 50 nationwide selected for a month-long fellowship of cultural exchange with Europe.
2004:
Aki Kurose Peace and Justice Award for leaders under 30