Actress and podcast host Amy Poehler will receive the Peabody Career Achievement Award at the 86th annual Peabody Awards ceremony on May 31 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. Director, producer and screenwriter Sterlin Harjo will be honored with the Peabody Trailblazer Award. PBS KIDS will receive the Peabody Institutional Award.
The Career Achievement Award recognizes an individual whose exceptional body of work and creative contributions have made a significant impact on media and culture. Past recipients include Andrea Mitchell, Mel Brooks and Sam Pollard. The Trailblazer Award recognizes visionaries whose innovative storytelling styles impact culture and affect social change. Previous recipients include Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Quinta Brunson and Issa Rae. The Institutional Award recognizes institutions and organizations, as well as series and programs, for their enduring body of work and their lasting impact on the media landscape and the public imagination. Previous recipients include Saturday Night Live, Fresh Air With Terry Gross and 60 Minutes.
“These honorees represent the very best of storytelling in media and the profound impact it can have on culture,” Jeffrey Jones, executive director of the Peabody Awards said in a statement. “Amy Poehler has built a remarkable career bringing intelligence, humor and fearless creativity to work that continues to shape comedy and inspire audiences. Sterlin Harjo has expanded the possibilities of television with work that is both deeply personal and culturally groundbreaking, with overdue stories and voices Americans have long ignored. And for decades, PBS KIDS has set the gold standard for educational children’s media, creating thoughtful, enriching stories that continue to shape how young audiences learn, grow and understand the world. We’re proud to recognize each of them for their lasting impact on the media landscape.”
Poehler is best known for starring in and helping shape the NBC comedy Parks and Recreation, which won a Peabody Award, and for her eight-season run on Saturday Night Live. Through her Paper Kite Productions, Poehler has produced culturally influential series including Broad City, Russian Doll and Harlem, and has directed projects such as Wine Country and the Peabody-nominated documentary Lucy & Desi. She recently reprised her role as Joy in Disney’s blockbuster Inside Out 2, the highest grossing animated film of all time, and hosts the hit video podcast Good Hang With Amy Poehler, which won the inaugural best podcast award at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards.
A MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, Sterlin Harjo (Seminole/Mvskoke) created, wrote, directed and is the executive producer of The Lowdown, starring Ethan Hawke, which is currently airing on FX and Hulu. Previously, he was the showrunner, cocreator with Taika Waititi and director of Reservation Dogs for FX. The series ran for three seasons and received numerous awards including a Gotham Award, two Peabody Awards, two Independent Spirit Awards and honors from the Television Academy.
PBS KIDS, the children’s educational media brand of the Public Broadcasting Service, serves young audiences across the United States through streaming and on-air content, games and community-based initiatives. Since the launch of PBS KIDS as a dedicated programming block in 1999, the brand has become a central presence in public broadcasting, building on earlier children’s programming created by pioneers such as Fred Rogers and Jim Henson.
Its programming for children ages 2 to 8 includes series such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Carl the Collector, Wild Kratts and Alma’s Way, alongside a wide range of educational games and resources for parents, caregivers and teachers. A cornerstone of the PBS KIDS mission is to support children’s learning through its partnership with local PBS stations across the country to ensure this programming and interactive learning content is available for free to families everywhere.
The Peabody Awards’ mission statement is to “honor stories that defend public interest, encourage empathy and expand our understanding of the world.” Nominees for the 2026 Peabody Awards will be announced on April 7 and April 9, with winners announced later that month. Winners will be celebrated on Sunday, May 31. All proceeds from the annual ceremony support the organization’s ongoing programs and initiatives.
