Mary Johnson,
Outreach Manager
Mary C.Corr,
Project Consultant

Mailing Address:
Bridges To Diversity
UNC-TV's TV Race Initiative
UNC Center For Public Television
PO Box 14900 R.T.P., NC 27709-4900

Phone:
(919)5497161
Fax: (919) 54977168
mjohnson@unctv.org

“Even though civil rights have conquered some stereotypes and fears, others still exist, cluttering our minds and sometimes our hearts. ‘Family Name’ forces people to consider those secrets and even tackle them ... This film is part of the Television Race Initiative, which is using public television to focus on problem-solving in race relations.”
–Burlington Times News, September 11, 1998

"UNC-TV is proud to be involved in this national media model, charting new territory for the public television station system."
–Tom Howe, [Station Manager, UNC TV]

Raleigh–Durham:
To address the changing demographics of North Carolina’s population, UNC-TV has convened local leaders from ethnic organizations, educational institutions and congregations to develop media strategies that lead to long-term, inclusive, problem solving activities. At a TRI ‘braintrust’ meeting in August 1998, community representatives ranging from the media to the YWCA and Duke Divinity School’s Department of Black Churches expressed enthusiasm about becoming active in the station’s TRI plans.

Activity Highlights

• In August 1999, Cicily Wilson (from "An American Love Story") visited North Carolina for an interview with "N.C. NOW," UNC-TV's nightly half-hour news program. This interview aired on Friday, September 10th, 1999. Cicily Wilson also joined a North Carolina multi-racial couple as guests on "Black Issues Forum," UNC-TV's weekly program focusing on issues of minority interest in North Carolina. The program was broadcast in November of 1999.
• On Thursday, October 21, 1999 at the Hayti Cultural Center, Durham's central location for black culture, UNC-TV sponsored a major community event. The showing of a brief segment of "An American Love Story" was followed by a discussion featuring a panel of multi-racial college students and inter-racial couples. Dr. Benjamin Reese, Assistant Vice-President for Cross-Cultural Affairs, Duke University moderated the exhange. The Research Triangle Park area is comprised of three major universities and approximately 20 smaller colleges. All were invited to participate in this event.
• A bilingual screening (English/Spanish) of "An American Love Story" was held at the Casa Multicultural in Durham. The discussion centered around similar problems facing new immigrants and mixed race families. Also, a moderated discussion and viewing of a taped segment was conducted at the Chapel Hill Senior Center on Monday, September 27, 1999. The public was invited to attend.
• On July 30, 1999, UNC-TV presented “Rabbit in the Moon” at the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Diversity Conference to 450 North Carolina Teaching Fellows and teacher/facilitators. The teachers and fellows engaged in a deep discussion about the issues raised by “Rabbit in the Moon” and the Japanese American internment experience.
• UNC-TV produced special programming to complement “Africans in America.” Six interstitial spots focusing on African-American history in North Carolina were produced and broadcast several times around the national series. The spots were also incorporated into a special half-hour program, which preceded the first episode of “Africans in America” and included interviews and features focusing on North Carolina’s diverse history. To increase awareness, a full-page article focusing on TRI is featured in the December issue of UNC-TV’s program guide, Centerpiece, which has a circulation of 92,000. It explains TRI and invites viewers to participate in events and outreach efforts.
• In October 1998, UNC-TV joined efforts with two of their interested cormunity partners to host additional TRI activities. Duke Divinity School’s Department of Black Churches collaborated with the Duke Office of Cross Cultural Affairs and UNC-TV to co-host an event on campus. A sneak preview screening of “Africans in America” with the segment producer, Noland Walker, engaged the campus and larger community in a discussion about race. This event marks a significant step in fostering new partnerships between the educational and media institutions and the community in addressing local issues of race relations.
• Because “Family Name” is set in North Carolina, UNC-TV wanted to give viewers an immediate opportunity to respond to the program, comment or ask questions. After the credits, they displayed an 800 call-in number, and the station was inundated with positive feedback from viewers. UNC-TV was energized by the positive viewer response and was eager to intensify their implementation of TRI in North Carolina. A database was created from the information received to generate a group of interested citizens across the state who will be invited to participate in and contribute to TRI over the next three years.