25th Anniversary Grand Finale

Friday, December 5, 2014

DCTV Staff

Hafeez Kazim, CFO & Administration

Jo-Ann Enwezor, Media & Outreach

Angelica Hill, Membership

Jasmine White, Production & Training

Karen Beasley, Programming & Traffic

Bob Thomas, Exec. Vice President

Mark Leeke, Multimedia

Robin Waley, Finance

Maurice Jackson, Traffic

Youssef Sitline, Information Tech.

From bottom to top:

Nantz Ricard, CEO & President

Jacque Rearden, Master Control

Jaime Fain, Multimedia

Amy Oden, Training

Jeremy Miles, Multimedia

Carmen Stanley, Operations

The year was 1988 and VCR’s were the “must have” tech item, and a a hash tag was simply called a pound sign. A pager was a big deal. How times have changed! Something else happened in 1988-the launch of programming on DC’s transformative television network.

It is truly amazing how much DCTV has evolved over these short 25 years, but one thing that has never altered over the years. DCTV has continued with an undying commitment to innovate, to provide superior television production services, equipment, and hands-on training, and to serve as a voice for all of our DC based communities.

After being officially incorporated in 1986, DCTV began broadcasting with one cable channel. After being officially incorporated in 1986, DCTV began broadcasting with one cable channel. We served our first members out of a small cubicle in the basement of a DuPont Cirle apartment building. This space was later expanded to add an edit room and an area for checking out field equipment.

Did you know that for many years, DCTV did not even have its own studio? The cable company provided specific hours when DCTV members could enter their studio space, which was located on the opposite side of the city.

How did this work?How did this work?

Programs had to be transmitted from a third location—a small former gas station attached to an auto shop at 14th and Florida, then briefly from the Manhattan Laundry building, and then from a third floor office in the old Anthony Bowen YMCA on W Street NW. What a struggle!

As you can imagine, it took committed, loyal, and diligent volunteers who operated the manual system 365 days a year, whic then expanded to a second DCTV channel.

After 16 years of DCTV members travelling among the 3 locations to plan, produce and After 16 years of DCTV members travelling among the 3 locations to plan, produce and submit their programs, city leaders provided a newly renovated facility that would allow DCTV to thrive more efficiently. DCTV began operating out of the historic Brooks Mansion in the Spring of 2002, where it continues to remain.

DCTV History

DCTV transmits 7 channels on Comcast, RCN and Verizon, and provides its members with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to produce community programming, including HD cameras, editing suites, and our own studios, including a full green screen environment with

beautiful HD virtual sets.

Always setting new standards for community media, DCTV’s programs are now also streamed live, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, accessed through DCTV’s website DCTV.org.

As our station has grown, so too have our producers! Many have gone on to receive regional As our station has grown, so too have our producers! Many have gone on to receive regional and national awards, television show appearances, and even feature film adaptations, such as “Life of a King”, a recent film based on the life of DCTV member Eugene Brown, starring

Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding, Jr.

25 years and counting, DCTV has made a significant impact on the landscape of our city with tens of thousands of hours of amazing programming from our members, and of course, the

most supportive viewing audience in the nation.

With your help, we know DCTV will grow even stronger over the next 25 years—, serving as With your help, we know DCTV will grow even stronger over the next 25 years—, serving as our city’s only source of all-local community programming!

So stay engaged with DCTV, keep watching, and of course -- keep shining!

DCTV Today

OCTOBER 26, 2013 - DCTV ILLUMINATOR AWARDS & 25TH ANNIVERSARY KICKOFF D.C. Illuminator Awards were presented D.C. Illuminator Awards were presented to members of the community who have dedicated their careers to making our city a better place to live. Awards went to Bill Lightfoot, Maudine Cooper, Denise Rolark Barnes, Marie Johns, Barbara Lang, Angela Franco, and Kojo Namdi. The event also featured musical Namdi. The event also featured musical performances by singers Carolyn Malachi and Sunny Sumter.

FEBRUARY 20TH – AN INDUSTRY CONVERSATION #1: AFRICAN AMERICAN PRODUCERS IN TV, VIDEO & FILM 

The first edition of our speaker series The first edition of our speaker series and networking reception explored issues impacting our community and media. In honor of Black History Month, this program focused on the unique perspective of African American creative producers of visual media.

DECEMBER 17TH, 2013 - THE SERVICE SIGN-UP

Serve DC (the Mayor’s office on volunteerism) and DCTV presented“The Service Sign-up” as an opportunity for potential volunteersto meet with organizations looking for to meet with organizations looking for help. Attendees hadthe opportunity to meet with local nonprofits and sign-up to volunteer with the organization that best matched their passions.

MARCH 20TH – AN INDUSTRY CONVERSATION #2: A WOMAN’S ROAD TO EXCELLENCE IN THE MEDIA

 In honor of Women’s History Month, our In honor of Women’s History Month, our second program of the series explored the paths several women have taken to a successful career in media in the D.C. area. 

DCTV 25th Anniversary Events

APRIL 24TH – AN INDUSTRY CONVERSATION #3: CHANGING COVERAGE OF BLACK MALES IN MEDIA 

This live television discussion focused on This live television discussion focused on the realities of African American male images, their portrayal in media, and the impact.

JUNE 5TH – DCTV ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF DCTV’S YOUR DC COMPETITION WINNERS 

DCTV held an annual meeting for its DCTV held an annual meeting for its entire membership of individuals and organizations. Winners of the YOUR DC video competition were announced.

MAY 22ND – AN INDUSTRY CONVERSATION #4: HIGH-TECH PRAISE 

Our fourth and final program discussed places of worship and their use of new media and television. 

 JUNE 21ST – COMMUNITY DAY FESTIVAL AT BROOKS MANSION

DCTV held a large, free outdoor festival DCTV held a large, free outdoor festival for the entire community, featuring D.C.’s Chuck Brown All-Star Band, award-winning local performers of various musical genres, activities for children and much more.

DCTV 25th Anniversary Events