PBS North Carolina’s roots run deep. For seven decades, we’ve been your public media home and partner. We’re honored to have grown right alongside you, from your earliest years to today. I’m tremendously proud of what we’ve accomplished together.
As this year’s impact story highlights, our work reflects our ongoing mission to nurture and celebrate the thriving communities that make up our state. As always, you’re the focus of every story, educational resource, event and emergency message we share. Your community is always on our minds and hearts, inspiring us to go further and dig deeper.
PBS North Carolina offers a unique homegrown service to you and your loved ones, supporting your mind and well-being through our content and resources, plus ensuring your safety through our role as NC’s emergency communications provider.
This year alone, with your incredible support, we hosted a student summit on climate change in the Triangle, filmed a discussion on immigration in the Triad and joined hands with a nonprofit in the mountains of western North Carolina to provide food, health screenings and a farm-to-table learning experience to families. These special moments are just the tip of the iceberg.
I’m humbly grateful to you for helping us sustain our commitment to our great state. Thank you!
—David Crabtree, CEO & General Manager
From the roots of a strong education grow a lifetime of possibilities. PBS North Carolina nurtures learners of all ages by providing equitable access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive. Together, we can empower all students, educators and families across North Carolina to reach their fullest potential.
Launched in 2020, the PBS North Carolina Rootle Ambassador Program connects PBS KIDS with customized early learning resources for communities, elevates local partners and forges connections between families and essential services. In 2024, the program has totaled 67 Rootle Ambassadors who have engaged their communities in 221 educational events reaching 45,000+ early learners, caregivers, educators and community members. Soon, the program will expand to all 100 counties and the Qualla Boundary, bringing trusted early childhood content and support to every community in NC.
Thank you to our partners: William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust for piloting the Rootle Ambassador Program in 2021, David E. (Woody) Clinard Dogwood Health Trust for bringing Ambassadors to western NC, Camber Foundation for supporting Ambassadors in 41 eastern NC counties and Unifour Foundation for supporting Ambassadors in Caldwell and Catawba counties.
The Rootle Roadster Tour meets families where they are, making stops in accessible locations with free playful learning experiences. These events combine popular PBS KIDS programs and lovable characters with PBS North Carolina’s children’s media initiatives like our Rootle Ambassador program to benefit young learners and their families. The Tour provides engaging educational materials, information about essential early childhood programs, early intervention services and additional community resources.
Thank you to our partners: The Donald & Elizabeth Cooke Foundation, David E. (Woody) Clinard, F.M. Kirby Foundation, Museum of the Albemarle, NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education and the PNC Foundation.
Mentoring and recognizing those who support the development of young learners is essential to strengthening the families in our communities. The annual Impact Early Childhood Education Summit provides an accessible professional development opportunity with innovative strategies for educators, childcare providers, parents and caregivers. Workshop topics have covered mental health, literacy, nature play, arts integration and family engagement. Attendees can earn professional credit hours on art integration, educational media, STEM curriculum, equity in education and more.
Thank you to our partners: Alice and Britt Preyer, ECU Health Maynard Children’s Hospital, F.M. Kirby Foundation, NC Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education and the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust.
When it comes to climate change, the voices of youth deserve to be heard. As part of PBS North Carolina’s ongoing climate initiative, 8th to 12th graders were invited to share their perspectives on climate solutions by creating engaging, impactful videos, podcasts and more. The summit inspires and equips young people with the knowledge needed to advocate for and contribute to climate change solutions, emphasizing the importance of their voices in the conversation.
Thank you to our partners: Carteret County Public Schools, Durham Public Schools, Duke University Marine Lab, Environmental Protection Agency, Museum of Life and Science, NC Business Committee for Education, NC State University College of Natural Resources, North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Project Drawdown and Wake Forest University.
Curiosity draws us out of our comfort zones and introduces new experiences that allow us to continue growing as people. We become more empathetic, adaptable, resilient and aware. At PBS North Carolina, we believe that sharing stories and experiences enlightens minds, enhances lives, fosters well-being and sharpens our mutual understanding of each other in the world.
Films give us the power to look at life through someone else’s lens. Indie Lens Pop-Up series brings neighborhoods together, virtually and in person, to view and discuss independent films about newsworthy topics. After the screenings, a discussion panel sparks conversation about local social issues and community relationships to engage audiences. This season PBS North Carolina joined hands with several community organizations to provide a platform for diverse voices in film.
Thank you to our partners: Independent Television Services, Inc. and River Run International Film Festival.
Music is a magical medium that can make learning truly engaging. Jamming on the Job is a multigenerational, music-inspired podcast for kids and families starring the Latin GRAMMY Award-winning kids’ music duo of 123 Andrés (Christina Sanabria and Andrés Salguero) and GRAMMY Award nominee Pierce Freelon. Listeners tour the country, meet grownups with different kinds of jobs and hear a new song composed based on the career of the day. In addition to showcasing a variety of careers, each episode emphasizes relevant social-emotional skills, such as empathy, problem-solving, responsibility, flexible thinking, impulse control and persistence. Featured jobs include a prescribed fire manager, wind turbine service technician, nurse practitioner, airport operations manager, farm animal veterinarian, robotics engineer and many more.
Thank you to our partners: Corporation for Public Broadcasting, PBS KIDS and the U.S. Department of Education.
Get to know the people who proudly call NC their home. My Home, NC is a PBS North Carolina Emmy Award-winning series that celebrates the people, places, music, food and cultures that make our state so special. Each episode shares unique, fascinating and often under-told stories from the mountains to the coast.
In our ever-evolving digital world, it’s more important than ever to keep up with the latest learnings. In 2022, PBS North Carolina was one of three Member Stations selected as a Regional Digital Center of Innovation. This kicked off two years of collaborative work fostering new partnerships with local digital content creators, deepening digital production capacity and elevating the voices of diverse creators. The initiative culminated in 2024 with a hybrid workshop at PBS North Carolina Studios that brought together content, marketing and digital managers from PBS Member Stations across the country.
Thank you to our partners: PBS Digital Studios and Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
PBS North Carolina serves as a vital network, connecting every community across NC to the power of information. We remain committed to sharing knowledge that uplifts communities, keeps us safe and broadens perspectives about what’s happening in our own backyard—and around the world.
When grassroots efforts take on climate change, you’ll find hope and inspiration. The third season of this Emmy Award-winning series produced by PBS North Carolina showcases North Carolinians who are adapting to our changing climate in new ways, from sustainable farming to the latest technologies. State of Change: Seeds of Hope is part of the Pulitzer Center’s Connected Coastlines, a nationwide climate reporting initiative in coastal states. The series reaches audiences through broadcast and digital platforms, and its content is shared with students in classrooms across the state.
Thank you to our partner: Pulitzer Center
Finding common ground brings our communities closer together. This six-part series brings together eight North Carolinians with diverse perspectives to discuss challenging subjects. With a shared commitment to listen to those they disagree with, each discussion creates a more inclusive dialogue about issues affecting our communities. The NC Listening Project aims to demonstrate how we can engage in respectful conversation on issues including free speech, religion, immigration and education and how we can find common ground where we least expect it.
Thank you to our partners: High Point University, Julia Courtney, Scott Oxford and Sidney and Rachel Straus.
For more than 35 years, our longest-running public affairs program has become a trusted space for discussing global, national and local issues critical to the Black community told through an African American lens. Black Issues Forum hosts weekly discussions center around honest, thoughtful perspectives regarding matters of equity, dignity, fairness and justice. Guests include scholars, policy analysts, educators, government officials, community leaders and activists.
Thank you to our partner: Maryland Public Television
Each week on State Lines, a vibrant, nonpartisan roundtable discussion is featured with experienced political analysts, journalists and elected officials. In-depth segments highlight local voices and perspectives that examine our state’s top legislative stories and current events. Specials have explored housing and education, the Watergate scandal revisited and a year in review with Governor Roy Cooper.
Addressing mental health is crucial for the overall well-being of individuals and our communities. The fifth season of ncIMPACT covered four town halls about mental health, exploring these unique challenges and innovative solutions that foster resilience. Each town hall focused on a specific group particularly impacted by mental health issues: youth and young adults, veterans, older adults and people impacted by the justice system. Topics discussed included depression, suicide, trauma and substance use.
Thank you to our partner: UNC Health
Our mission is to cultivate curiosity, nurture creativity and make learning an exciting adventure for every viewer. PBS North Carolina delivers storytelling that enriches communities—and more importantly—educates us about our shared history and culture.
PBS’s most-watched ongoing series, Antiques Roadshow, came to the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh in search of hidden treasures. Nearly 3,500 attendees brought family heirlooms and yard sale finds to be evaluated by the country’s leading appraisers. In the special Behind the Scenes: Antiques Roadshow in North Carolina, we experience the magic behind the iconic show through insightful commentary from the show’s producers, hosts and appraisers. The special was filmed over two days and features appraisals of a Civil War-era sword, vintage Barbie and Ken dolls, family jewelry and a kora, which is a handmade stringed instrument from West Africa.
Thank you to our partner: North Carolina Museum of Art
One of the most famous golf courses in the world has many stories waiting to be told. Host Dwayne Ballen uncovers the stories, people and traditions that make Pinehurst and its surrounding communities beloved. In addition to learning more about the tremendous historical, cultural and economic impact of golf on the area, we meet the people who work behind the scenes to keep Pinehurst’s traditions alive. It's a Beautiful Day in Pinehurst explores how a golf resort in North Carolina’s Sandhills became a world-renowned destination, with unforgettable moments in golf such as Payne Stewart’s triumphant 1999 U.S. Open win over Phil Mickelson and a tour of the World Golf Hall of Fame with legendary basketball coach Roy Williams.
Thank you to our partners: John and Mary Louise Burress, Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Pinehurst Resort and Country Club.
The creative arts can transform entertainment into storytelling. The series, Premier Stage at UNC School of the Arts, lets viewers experience the power of a symphony orchestra, an opera set in outer space, groundbreaking dance choreography and the stirring sounds of solo piano and woodwinds in their own homes. Premier Stage at UNC School of the Arts collaborated with PBS North Carolina to feature stunning performances by students and faculty of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. The series also includes a look behind the scenes to learn about the artists’ creative process.
Thank you to our partner: The University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Shown through the eyes of nature lovers, trail experts and outdoor equity advocates, this series highlights the rich diversity of nature opportunities in the “Great Trail State.” The series was produced in honor of North Carolina’s 2023 Year of the Trail initiative, which was the largest statewide celebration of trails and outdoor recreation in North Carolina history. The program commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1973 North Carolina Trails System Act, which instituted a state system of scenic and recreation trails.
Thank you to our partners: Great Trails State Coalition and the SECU Foundation.
To ensure sustainable growth, PBS North Carolina is committed to diversifying our revenue streams via campaigns that are guided by data insights and enhanced through strategic partnerships. Private support remains our primary source of funding, as individuals, corporations and foundations from North Carolina—and beyond—invest in our mission.
In fiscal year 2024, grants and individual gifts remained a cornerstone of our annual funding. They represent $12.47 million in support that directly fuels the programs, projects, initiatives and distribution of services.
The Corporate Engagement team engaged 45 funders to put more than $3 million in revenue under contract during fiscal year 2024—a 20% increase from 2023.
PBS North Carolina maintains a balanced blend of funding from private foundations, federal and state government agencies and public media partners. 33 grants under contract totaled $2.2 million.
Explore stories from members who share why they support public media.
Everything we do supports lifelong learning. When North Carolinians watch or engage with us, we build a stronger society, one with more compassion and empathy for each other and communities across the state, country and world.
PBS North Carolina is your homegrown resource for trusted storytelling, educational opportunities and meaningful experiences. Our work is deeply rooted in you, the people of North Carolina, and we’re tremendously proud that together we’ve created a strong network of joy and support for communities across our state and beyond.
Learn more about PBS North Carolina's work and impact in the community in our full fiscal year '24 Impact Report.
