The Florida Magazine Association has announced the finalists for the 2026 Charlie Awards—celebrating the best in magazine journalism across the state—and The Marion Mosaic is honored to be among them.

In its inaugural year, the publication has placed in categories including Best Overall Writing, Best New Magazine, and the coveted Best Overall Magazine. These distinctions highlight the creativity, craftsmanship, and collaborative spirit behind every issue.

“The Mosaic is still in the middle of its first year; this is absolutely amazing validation for what we are doing. I’m so proud of this talented team and the course we are on.”
— Jessi Miller, Publisher, Creative & Editorial Director

The Mosaic is a finalist for the following awards:

Writing Excellence

• Best Writing: Humor — Dave Schlenker
• Best Writing: Department (Consumer Magazines: 20,000 and Under) — Kendra Brazzel
• Best Writing: Column (Consumer Magazines: 20,000 and Under) — RJ Jenkins

Design Excellence

• Best Design: Typography (Consumer Magazines: 20,000 and Under) — Jessi Miller
• Best Design: Department (Consumer Magazines: 20,000 and Under) — Jessi Miller

General and Overall Excellence

• Best New Magazine (Consumer Magazines: 20,000 and Under) 
• Best Overall: Writing (Consumer Magazines: 20,000 and Under) 
• Best Overall: Magazine (Consumer Magazines: 20,000 and Under) 

With eight finalist placements, The Marion Mosaic continues to establish itself as a vibrant and influential voice celebrating creativity, culture, and community in Marion County.

Winners will be announced on June 5 at the Florida Magazine Association Conference in Orlando. We look forward to sharing the results with all the inquiring minds who are cheering us on.

This recognition is more than an honor for our publication—it’s a celebration of Marion County itself. It affirms that Ocala is home to a vibrant, high-quality community magazine dedicated to telling its stories with excellence, creativity, and care. As The Marion Mosaic continues to grow, so does our commitment to reflecting and serving the people, culture, and spirit that make this region extraordinary.