Celebrating 45 Years of WHUT: Honoring Our Legacy, Powering Our Future 

Written By Saryn Francis

This year, WHUT proudly celebrates 45 years of public television—45 years of amplifying Black stories, elevating local voices, and delivering trusted, community-centered programming to the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region. At its inception, the station became the first public station in the United States to be licensed to and operated by a HBCU.  

From our earliest broadcasts to today’s digital-first storytelling, WHUT’s mission has remained the same: to ensure our community sees itself—its history, its brilliance, its challenges, and its triumphs—reflected on screen. 

As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the generations of visionaries, producers, journalists, students, and supporters who built WHUT into what it is today. We look back with gratitude and forward with excitement for what the next 45 years will bring: deeper storytelling, expanded digital experiences, and even more opportunities to highlight the people and places that make the DMV extraordinary. 

From groundbreaking documentaries and local programming to trusted public affairs coverage, to children’s educational content that empowers our next generation—WHUT remains committed to serving you. And we couldn’t do it without you. 


WHUT’s First Broadcast

Celebrating Our PAST 

For four and a half decades, WHUT has been shaped by iconic programs that laid the foundation for thoughtful, community-centered broadcasting. Legacy shows like Evening Exchange with Kojo Nnamdi created space for deep dialogue, cultural insight, and honest conversations long before “community engagement” became a buzzword. These programs set the tone for WHUT’s enduring commitment to representation and storytelling with purpose. 

Evening Exchange with Kojo Nnamdi| Source: American Archive of Public Broadcasting

Broadcasting Our IMPACT 

WHUT has never been just a station—we’re a connector, a partner, and a community anchor. Today, that spirit lives on through WHUT classics and beloved programming such as: 

  • We Are Here — Our newest Emmy nominated series that explores the Black community engaging in historically underrepresented hobbies and activities. 

  • DMV: The Beat — A celebration of local artists, innovators, and cultural changemakers. 

  • HBCU Sports & Culture Coverage — Honoring the energy, pride, and legacy of Howard University and HBCUs nationwide. 

  • WHUT Kids & Family Programs — Educational and entertaining content that uplifts families and nurtures young learners. 

  • Local Documentaries & Specials — Spotlighting stories that shape our region—from arts and history to movements for justice. 

Across the region, we bring storytelling off the screen and into neighborhoods through: 

  • free community screenings 

  • educational workshops and family events 

  • partnerships with local nonprofits, schools, and cultural organizations 

  • initiatives that address everything from food insecurity to digital literacy 

  • senior-centered programs like our Senior Care Series 

This work ensures that our programming doesn’t just inform—it uplifts, supports, and strengthens the DMV. Our impact is measured not only in households reached but in lives connected. 

Illuminating Our FUTURE 

As we celebrate our past and serve our community today, WHUT is also building pathways for the next generation of storytellers. 

Our student-focused and forward-thinking programs—including Spotlight segments, youth-led productions, internships, and hands-on media training—ensure that emerging voices have the tools, platforms, and mentorship they need to shape the future of public media. 

These young creators aren’t just the future of WHUT—they’re the future of storytelling itself. Their energy, innovation, and perspective will guide the next 45 years of our work. 

 

Join Us in Celebrating 45 Years 

For 45 years, WHUT has been more than a station—it’s been a partner, a platform, and a home for community. Thank you for being part of our legacy. And thank you for supporting the future of public media that represents, uplifts, and inspires. 

Every gift, large or small, helps us continue the work of telling authentic, transformative stories that matter to the DMV. Make your donation or become a sustainer today! 

This Giving Season, stand with WHUT. 
Together, let’s build the next 45 years of storytelling, culture, and community. 

Saryn Francis
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