DETROIT PUBLIC TELEVISION WINS NATIONAL AWARD
FOR "ARAB AMERICAN STORIES"
Detroit's PBS Station is Presenting a National Dialogue Around Its Series
DETROIT (September 25, 2013) – WTVS Detroit Public Television will be the recipient of the Belva Davis Broadcaster Award at the first SAG-AFTRA American Scene Awards. The awards are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Friday, Sept. 27 as part of the Celebration event honoring SAG-AFTRA’s inaugural convention. The Inaugural National Convention Celebration is a dinner event with host Mary Hart (Entertainment Tonight). The evening includes entertainment and a special musical performance led by Dorian Holley (The Tonight Show with Jay Leno).
The American Scene Awards continues the tradition established in 1985 by the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists to honor union productions in the industry that realistically portray the “American Scene” by intelligently and progressively employing the talents of diverse ethnicities, people with disabilities, women, seniors, people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender, and other misrepresented or underrepresented groups.
Joining Detroit Public Television in receiving a 2013 American Scene Award are ABC Family’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager and Universal Music Group.
Jenny O’Hara, co-chair of the SAG-AFTRA Honors and Tributes Committee said of the “Belva Davis” Broadcaster Award recipient, “Arab American Stories presents a varied and multifaceted view of Arab-Americans from all walks of life. This series has given audiences an opportunity to learn about the significant contributions of those featured to their professions, communities and the world at large in a format which is highly entertaining and relatable.”
“We’re extremely pleased that Arab American Stories has been selected to receive this honor,” said Detroit Public Television President and CEO Rich Homberg. “The series explores the diversity of the Arab-American experience and we thank SAG-AFTRA for recognizing the power of public media to promote greater understanding of misrepresented or underrepresented groups in our communities.” Host/narrator Neda Ulaby of National Public Radio will accept on his behalf.
Past recipients of the AFTRA American Scene Award have included American Idol, Sesame Street and the Children’s Television Workshop, Modern Family, Parenthood, The Voice, As the World Turns, Warner Bros. Records/Nashville, ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago, KCBS/KCAL Los Angeles and the WGBH Educational Foundation, among many other industry leaders.
Based on the Emmy Award-winning success of Arab American Stories, Detroit Public Television, in cooperation with public television stations and local libraries, has also launched a series of community events in cities throughout America to increase public understanding of Arab American contributions to society. The outreach project is funded by a grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation of Battle Creek, Mich.
Arab American Stories was produced by Alicia Sams, also the producer/director of the Emmy Award-winning film “By the People: The Election of Barack Obama.” For more information, visit arabamericanstories.org.
About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents more than 165,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.
About The W.K. Kellogg Foundation
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930 "to help people help themselves through the practical application of knowledge and resources to improve their quality of life and that of future generations." For more information about the Foundation and its programs, visit www.wkkf.org.
About Detroit Public Television
Detroit Public Television (DPTV) is the non-commercial, viewer-supported PBS-member station watched by more than 1.5 million people in Detroit and Southeast Michigan and another 1.2 million people throughout Canada. DPTV also manages WRCJ 90.9 FM, Detroit's classical and jazz radio station, in collaboration with the license-holder, the Detroit Public Schools. The radio station is located in the Detroit School of Arts. DPTV is licensed to the Detroit Educational Television Foundation and governed by a volunteer board of trustees from the local business, civic, and cultural communities.
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