2020 Annual Report
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1975 45years 2020 1975 ANNUALANNUAL REPORTREPORT 20202020 45years 1975 - 2020 2020 A LETTER FROM A LETTER FROM LOUISIANA PUBLIC LOUISIANA BROADCASTING EDUCATIONAL PRESIDENT & CEO TELEVISION BETH COURTNEY AUTHORITY BOARD CHAIR VALENCIA BURTON Dear Friends, As we return to what has been labeled, “the new nor- In spite of the tremendous challenges, 2020 has mal,” LPB has learned many lessons from this pandemic. proven to be another meaningful year for LPB. As the We are committed to sharing vital information statewide Louisiana Educational Television Authority, LPB insti- on multiple platforms. This follows our more than 180 tuted new ways to engage students and educators by press conferences produced and shared with all media providing distance and at-home learning resources, as across the state. We provided information by broadcast- well as special on-air educational content, particularly ing, streaming and making available resources that you helpful to families with limited access to digital tech- may need in an emergency, be it hurricanes, viruses, nology. By working with the Louisiana Department of freezes or floods. We learned that families and teachers Education, LPB was able to “bridge the gap” in educa- need and appreciate our educational materials during tion and technology for so many in need. school closures, and educators also accessed training LPB was able to institute new safety protocols that opportunities available through our online library that allowed employees to continue to serve the citizens of includes all of the national PBS LearningMedia resources. Louisiana, east Texas, southern Arkansas, and south- We have learned that you enjoy Louisiana stories and western Mississippi, while keeping them safe. In doing that you value our commitment to programs that enlight- so, LPB has been a life-line of information about the en and enrich your daily lives. We love to connect with pandemic and during hurricane season by providing you and hear what your feedback about our multiple coverage of all of the Governor’s press conferences, offerings on LPB1, LPB2, and LPB3. and hosting discussions with authorities on health This past year, many of our longtime employees retired and safety. By sharing and practicing these health and we value their years of dedication. We have re- and safety measures put forth by Governor John Bel cruited some outstanding new members of our team who Edwards, the Louisiana Department of Health and the bring fresh and diverse perspectives to LPB. It seems that CDC, LPB worked to keep our local communities mov- the most often used adjective to describe our television ing in the right direction to overcome the pandemic. environment is change. We must learn new technology LPB, through its unbiased and trusted news pro- and keep track of all of those darn pass words. grams, has covered the other consequential events of Some things don’t change. We still look forward to this past year, including the nation’s social reckoning, drama on Masterpiece on Sunday nights and Passport in reaction to unjust actions against African Americans, whenever and wherever we want to stream PBS clas- as well as crimes against the Asian American commu- sics and new favorites. We share excitement with the nity. participants of Antiques Roadshow. We celebrate the Louisianans also turned to LPB for its entertaining accomplishments of Louisiana Legends and Louisiana and inspiring programs, like Masterpiece and Find- Young Heroes, but most importantly, we thank our mem- ing Your Roots, for a much needed respite from daily bers of Friends of LPB who are part of our family and we stresses. cherish our time together, whether that be virtually or in I would like to thank my fellow Board members for person. their creativity and invaluable contributions as we con- tinued our dedication to LPB, meeting virtually instead of in-person. It has been a pleasure to work with each of them. As we look to a brighter future, I am confident that LPB will successfully continue its mission in 2021 to serve the needs of the people of Louisiana and be- yond. We hope that you and your families continue to remain healthy and safe, and never hesitate to share your ideas with us, as you are the true spirit and trea- sure of Louisiana. 2 • LPB ANNUAL REPORT | 2020 A LETTER FROM A LETTER FROM 2020 FRIENDS OF FOUNDATION FOR LOUISIANA PUBLIC EXCELLENCE IN BROADCASTING LOUISIANA PUBLIC BOARD CHAIR BROADCASTING BO HARRIS BOARD CHAIR CHARLES SPENCER Friends of Louisiana Public Broadcasting is a nonprofit The Foundation portfolio has been constructed to corporation operating solely to support the Louisiana produce a return that can support the spending re- Educational Television Authority (dba LPB). FLPB is gov- quired for LPB’s continuing operations now and in the erned by a volunteer board of directors consisting of 30 future, and to do so without taking undue risk. With this individuals from across the state, with the support of the mandate in mind, the investments have been allocated staff who perform the day to day operations. to achieve broad diversification and risk/return charac- This has been a year none of us could have anticipat- teristics that are durable across different phases of the ed. Despite the uncertainty, Friends of LPB was able to economic cycle. continue our fundraising efforts providing our members The fiscal year 2020 will long be remembered as one a window to the world and programs offering of hope unlike any other in recent history. The global pandemic during these challenging times. was felt in many ways, not the least of which was the In 2019, LPB initiated an ambitious campaign with impact to the economy and capital markets. It could be a goal to increase membership to 20,000 by the end argued that we did in fact witness a full economic cycle of 2020. The campaign has seen tremendous success in less than twelve months. through multiple appeals including the quarterly raffles, Through it all, the Foundation Board met (Zoomed) membership drives and LPB’s most popular member regularly with our excellent investment advisor, The J.K. benefit, LPB Passport. Through these efforts, membership Meek Group at Graystone Consulting, and worked revenue saw an increase of 10%, resulting in $1,171,383 tirelessly to understand the implications for the Founda- being transferred to the Foundation for Excellence in tion and the steps that were being taken in response to Louisiana Public Broadcasting. I am also proud to report significant market volatility. By the end of the fiscal year, that the Friends of LPB membership has increased to the portfolio had grown modestly despite the market 19,400 and we are well on our way to reaching our tumult. Importantly, decisions throughout the period to goal of 20,000 members! reposition the portfolio have contributed to the enviable The 30th Annual Louisiana Legends Gala was re- position that we now enjoy entering the summer months. scheduled due to the ongoing threat of the coronavirus. This year’s honorees are: Dr. Carolyn Leach Huntoon, sci- entist and the first woman to serve as Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center; Dr. Terry King, world-renowned Pediatric Cardiologist, co-inventor of the “King Mills Cardiac Umbrella;” Terry C. Landry, Sr., the first African American Superintendent of the Louisiana State Police; Johnny Robinson, LSU football great and 2019 NFL Hall of Fame Inductee; and Donna Saurage, philanthropist and Manager of CCC Holding L.L.C., the parent com- pany of Community Coffee. As you can see, Friends of LPB continues to pivot successfully, rising to the occasion to creatively find additional revenue streams. One thing is certain, LPB resonates in a very special way to our viewers, more and more of whom are becoming faithful members. 3 • LPB ANNUAL REPORT | 2020 LOUISIANA EDUCATIONAL TELEVISION AUTHORITY BOARD FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN Valencia Burton, Chairperson LOUISIANA PUBLIC Conrad Comeaux, Vice-Chairperson BROADCASTING BOARD Dr. Tina S. Holland, Secretary Charles Spencer, Chairperson Christopher J. Wegmann, Treasurer Mary T. Joseph, Secretary Kathy Kliebert, Immediate Past Chairperson Dr. William Arceneaux, Bo Harris, Friends Chairperson Director Ted Beasley Richard H. Hartley Bill Blackwood Julie Cherry Robert E. King III Sally Clausen Millard F. “Sonny” Cranch Laura Lindsay Barbara DeCuir Eartha Cross David Tatman Rose J. Hudson Nancy S. Harrelson Tracie J. Woods H. Alston Johnson III Frank McArthur Darrel Papillion Dr. William Weldon FRIENDS OF LOUISIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING BOARD EX OFFICIO Bo Harris, Chairperson Therese Nagem, Treasurer NON-VOTING MEMBERS Cathy Seymour, Vice-Chairperson Bob Emmert, Immediate Past Chairperson Newt Dorsett, Secretary President and CEO, LPB Beth Courtney Cheri Ausberry Jay Johnson Sondra Mott-Long Jodi Penn Rives Emily Babineaux Philip Jordan Jim McCrery Walter Rudd Chairperson, LETA Ayres Bradford April Kirwan Adrienne Moore Carol Shadoin Valencia Burton Matt Dardenne Ann Knapp Dr. Peggy Murphy Howard White Tonia Henderson Jennifer Maggio Jimmy Oustalet Lela Mae Wilkes Chairperson, Friends of LPB Seth Irby Justin Marocco Denage Piper Ann Wilkinson Bo Harris Louisiana Public Broadcasting Network • ID 1777 • Baton Rouge, LA • State Coverage Change • FCC Methodology Monroe Garland Saline Polk Montgomery Phillips Panola Pushmataha NORTH Hot Spring Grant Jefferson Arkansas Coahoma Quitman Pine Bluff Clarksdale Pike McCurtain Arkadelphia LPB broadcasts on the following Choctaw Sevier Howard Clark Dallas Lincoln Tallahatchie Cleveland Bolivar