Chasing the Dream

Poverty & Opportunity in America

Chasing the Dream: Poverty and Opportunity in America is a multiplatform public media initiative from The WNET Group in New York covering poverty, economic opportunity, and justice in America.

As Producer for Chasing the Dream, I led the entire production process - from contracting to distribution - for a range of digital series, podcasts, and broadcast productions on a variety of important social topics. My role also involved impact planning and reporting, content promotion and social media strategy, community engagement, and partnership development. Explore several of the Chasing the Dream productions that I was a Producer for below.

Celebrating innovation in the LGBTQ+ community

American Problems, Trans Solutions features award-winning journalist Imara Jones as she travels the country to meet three Black trans leaders on the frontlines of change.

The digital series and WORLD Channel broadcast production celebrate the innovative solutions of Black trans people to some of the nation’s most pressing problems, including housing, economic empowerment and the rights of migrants. 

A co-production of TransLash Media and The WNET Group.

Gold Anthem Award Winner - DEI Category, Film, TV & Video; 4th Annual Anthem Awards 2024

Sharing an untold African American history

The Segregation Scholarships digital documentary series and WORLD Channel broadcast highlight the untold story of African Americans who traveled to the North in pursuit of advanced academic degrees when Southern graduate schools were white-only.

Personal interviews with segregation scholarship recipients themselves, now in their 80’s and 90’s, bring to life the struggles and triumphs of unsung trailblazers and civil rights foot soldiers that strengthened southern Black communities and helped end segregation in the United States.

A production of B Squared Communications and The WNET Group.

  • The perseverance and bravery of these civil rights heroes is inspiring. As we can see by recent events the struggle still continues. I hope we get to see even more of these gems.

    Segregation Scholarships viewer

  • It’s therapy to share our stories. I would like to see more moments of joy and liberation that we don’t get to relish in. This broadcast is one of those moments. We need to see stories of lives changing.

    Kayla Gore, American Problems, Trans Solutions interviewee

  • What a fascinating and informative short video. This is a captivating look at previously ignored American history and the hardships and significant contribution of many Black Americans.

    Segregation Scholarships viewer

  • Stepping back from the depths of work and watching it invigorates me to do this work. I felt tired of this, but watching this gives me hope.

    Breonna McCree, American Problems, Trans Solutions interviewee

Storytelling for justice

In 2003, WNET journalist Jenna Flanagan reported on the murder of 15-year-old Newark native Sakia Gunn. Now, 20 years on, Flanagan revisits this anti-LGBTQ+ hate crime story to take a look at what progress has been made in protecting Newark’s queer youth — and how exactly justice was served.

Listen to the trailer for the After Broad and Market podcast

Connecting stories and lives

In 2009, twelve at-risk Black adolescent boys hit the road to document the stories of older African American men from all walks of life in the hopes that their own lives might change.

In 2023, the Road Scholars digital documentary series project reunited some of these younger and older participants to discuss navigating the world as Black men. Their conversations offer hope and a possible roadmap for change.   

Road Scholars will be broadcast on the WORLD Channel in January 2025.

A co-production of Investigative Media Group, Inc. and The WNET Group.

Financial empowerment for Latinas

Latinx growth holds power, yet a gap remains. Enter Hay Dinero – a web series bridging culture, trauma, and empowerment, hosted by Host Cindy Y. Rodriguez.

Rodriquez travels the country to connect with Latina money experts to offer practical tools for building generational wealth.

A co-production of RAVA Films and The WNET Group.

Designed for impact

Designed to make an impact, Chasing the Dream utilized a creative distribution strategy to reach new audiences where they are at. Stories are truly multiplatform, and are available for free via public media broadcast, online streaming on our websites, YouTube, social and via the PBS App.

Many of the series featured educational resources, Community Discussion Toolkits, and live community events that sparked conversation around important social issues.

Working in close partnership with diverse media-makers like TransLash Media, RAVA FILMS, and B Squared Communications allows us to better-reflect the stories of the LGBTQ+, Latinx, and Black communities that we serve.

Several productions for this initiative were recognized with 2024 Anthem Award wins, 2024 Webby Award nominations, and 2025 Anthem Award Wins.