“A stronger WJCT makes us all stronger — our universities, our 2020 economy, our whole region. At JU we are deepening our part- nership with WJCT — it’s an in- LOCAL CONTENT vestment that pays off in so many ways.” AND SERVICE REPORT - Tim Cost President, Jacksonville University TO THE COMMUNITY WJCT’s mission is to use our unique assets as a resource for citizens to come together to celebrate human diversity, experience lifelong learning, and actively engage in matters of civic im- portance, all to improve the quality of our lives and our community. Our vision for WJCT is to be regarded as an indispensable community resource, connecting citizens to content, sharing ideas, and setting the standards through which the community learns and grows. LOCAL 2020 KEY LOCAL VALUE SERVICES IMPACT WJCT utilized its unique In 2020, WJCT expanded its digital WJCT continued its commitment to asset to maximize the value services and expanded our online serving the community with the provided to members of the First resources to host virtual events. launch of new series and events that Coast community. inform, educate, entertain and em- • Launched AT-HOME LEARNING offering power. • Facilitated virtual community online resources and a new television discussions on matters of public schedule of educational programming. • Delivered children's interest such as health, • Created a dedicated webpage providing backpacks filled with books, • education, and history. the latest in-depth updates on local and school supplies, personal hygiene • First Coast Connect with national coronavirus developments from products, socks and a Daniel Melissa Ross hosted medical professionals and journalists. Tiger mask to three 2020 presidential election • Launched the Jacksonville Music Ex- nonprofits in recognition of coverage on WJCT News 89.9 perience, a new multi-platform collection of Be My Neighbor Day. services, providing more access to more citi- with local cut-ins during PBS • zens. Distributed over 20,000 NewsHour. articles of cold-weather • Published over 210 WJCT PBS clothing for the Mister KIDS Writers Contest Rogers Sweater Drive. entries from local K-3 • Partnered with StoryCorps’ One graders on wjct.org. Small Step initiative, facilitating and broadcasting conversations with Americans of opposing viewpoints. 20182020 LOCAL LOCAL CONTENT CONTENT AND AND SERVICE SERVICE REPORT REPORT IN THE COMMUNITY IN THE COMMUNITY: LOCAL EVENTS & WJCT Soundstage: Jesse Cook WJCT, in partnership with the Florida Theatre, launched the WJCT Soundstage Series. The WJCT Soundstage offers a unique and intimate setting to enjoy the sights, sounds, and energy in close proximity to mu- sicians and performers. In 2020, Jesse Cooke performed live at the WJCT Soundstage. Jesse Cook is a Juno-winning, master guitarist blending rhumba flamenco with elements of new age and jazz to cre- ate his uniquely global sound. In January 2020, Jesse Cooke, the Juno- winning, master guitarist blending rhumba flamenco with elements of new age and jazz, performed live at the WJCT Soundstage to an audi- ence of nearly 300. Jesse Cook performs live at the WJCT Soundstage. No Passport Required WJCT Public Media invited the Northeast Florida community to explore the intersection of food and culture in Jacksonville’s immigrant com- munities at an engaging community discussion. Clips from PBS’ No Passport Required, hosted by chef Marcus Samuelsson, were shared with attendees offering a culinary and anthropological exploration of the people, rituals, and food of multicultural America. Attendees en- joyed a reception with appetizers from diverse cultures created by local chefs. The event was facilitated by Sel Buyuksarac, and panelists includ- ed Theodres Aboye, Abla Bateh, Aileen Farhat, Dr. Leslie Kaplan, and Agnes Lopez. Panelists and attendees discuss food and culture at the No Passport Required in Jacksonville event. The Jaxson presents Retrofitting the Core: Transformative Trails, Parks & Open Spaces The Jaxson hosted a virtual conversation discussing how the communi- ty can be involved with Jacksonville’s urban core. The panelists ex- plored the latest with the Emerald Trail, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing Park and related initiatives that integrate local history, culture, community and economic development with open space, bicycle and pedestrian use that are on the verge of breaking ground in a post-Covid Jackson- ville. The virtual event was hosted by Modern Cities' Ennis Davis, and panelists included Kay Ehas, CEO, Groundwork Jacksonville; Mari Kurai- shi, President, Jessie Ball duPont Fund; and Healy Dwyer, Founder, Bike Duval. An Evening with 1A’s Jenn White New host of 1A, Jenn White joined WJCT’s President & CEO David McGowan for a dynamic, thought-provoking virtual conversation. Over 160 audience members joined to watch the conversation and partici- pate in a question and answer session. A seasoned journalist and pod- cast host, Jenn has worked in public radio since 1999. She joined WAMU 88.5’s 1A from Chicago’s WBEZ where, since 2016 she held sev- eral on-air positions as host of the station’s local two-hour midday show, Reset with Jenn White and was a familiar voice on several WBEZ podcasts, including Making Oprah, Making Obama and 16 Shots. Voices of the First Coast: One Small Step Across the Political Divide WJCT Public Media participated in StoryCorps’ One Small Step, a na- tionwide project with the goal of breaking down boundaries between strangers. The challenge: Have a conversation with another member of your community who you might not otherwise have a chance to talk with and with whom you might even disagree politically. WJCT report- ers Lindsey Kilbride and Skyler LeBron recorded 25 conversations that are archived in the Jacksonville Public Library's Florida Collection and the Library of Congress. Excerpts from select First Coast conversations were aired and participants shared their experience for a virtual even- ing of conversation and listening. 20182020 LOCAL LOCAL CONTENT CONTENT AND AND SERVICE SERVICE REPORT REPORT IN THE COMMUNITY ONGOING SERIES, SPECIALS, AND SERVICES WJCT Passport WJCT Passport is a member benefit that provides WJCT supporters with extended access to an on-demand library of quality public television programs, including original content from WJCT and PBS favorites such as Nature, NOVA, and Masterpiece. WJCT Passport has grown to more than 9,729 activated members. Radio Reading Service (RRS) WJCT's RRS empowers visually-impaired and print-challenged adapted to Covid-19 by community members by broadcasting commercial-free read- ings of local and national newspapers, magazines, and books 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In its 27th year, RRS is powered by tireless volunteers, who provide the only service of its kind in Northeast Florida. First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross WJCT Public Media's flagship daily call-in radio program features local newsmakers, civic and community leaders, arts, activities, and more, along with news features and a weekly roundtable of local journalists. Community members join the live conversation via phone, email, and social media. First Coast Connect with Melissa Ross airs weekdays at 9AM on WJCT News 89.9 and is rebroadcast at 8PM, and the podcast is available on all major podcast platforms. Jazz Festival Weekend on the Jacksonville Music Experience WJCT Public Media hosted the Jazz Festival Weekend on the Jacksonville Music Experience (JME) over Memorial Day Weekend (May 21-24, 2020), the traditional dates of the Jacksonville Jazz Festival which was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jazz Festival Weekend featured music from some of the biggest names in jazz across WJCT’s television, radio and online platforms. WJCT Public Media also hosted performances by local artists vir- tually on the JME Facebook group page. Mister Rogers Neighborhood Sweater Drive WJCT partnered with VyStar Credit Union, Suddath Moving & Logistics, and Tom Bush Family of Dealerships to present the 17th annual Mister Rogers Neighborhood Sweater Drive, honoring the late Fred Rogers by collecting over 20,000 sweaters, jackets, blankets, and socks. The items contributed by the First Coast community were distributed to the Clara White Mission, City Rescue Mission and the Sulzbacher Center. nonprofits serving neighbors. WJCT News 89.9 WJCT Public Media converted 89.9 FM to all news/talk format and changed name to WJCT News 89.9 on July 13, 2020. The conversion expanded local journalism and brought 13 new shows to Northeast Florida airwaves, including PBS NewsHour, Fresh Air Weekend, and New Yorker Radio Hour. Florida Roundup WJCT and WLRN’s collaboration expanded its reach this year to include broadcast by Orlando, Tampa, and Gainesville public radio stations and moved in the weekly lineup to air on Fridays at noon. WJCT's Melissa Ross and WLRN's Tom Hudson co-host the live call-in program fea- turing journalists and newsmakers from across the state. 2020 LOCAL CONTENT AND SERVICE REPORT IN THE COMMUNITY ADAPT: Is There a Connection? Climate Change & how actions taken now could affect the river’s future health. Coronavirus Panelists included City Council Member Garrett Dennis, COJ WJCT Public Media and the Northeast Florida Regional Environmental Quality Division Chief Melissa Long, St. Johns Council hosted the virtual conversation “Is There a Riverkeeper Lisa Rinaman, and Marine Science Research Connection? Climate Change & Coronavirus” on July 14 fo- Center Executive Director A. Quinton White, Jr. cusing on the parallels between, and the intersections