ORLANDO, Nov. 22, 2024 — Florida Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-42) was celebrated yesterday at WUCF’s television studio in Orlando as the recipient of the prestigious Florida Public Media Champion Award.
This honor recognizes members of the Florida Legislature who have demonstrated unwavering support for public media and its critical role in communities across the state. The award is presented by Florida Public Media, the nonprofit association of 24 public radio and television stations across Florida.
“Representative Eskamani has been a tireless advocate for public media her whole life,” said Jennifer Cook, WUCF Executive Director. “Her dedication to WUCF and her vision for an engaged, informed community underscores her belief in the transformative power of public media to shape Central Florida’s future.”
Eskamani, who represents Florida State House District 42 in Orange County, spearheaded the “Keep PBS in Orlando” campaign in 2011, which played a pivotal role in supporting the University of Central Florida’s acquisition of Central Florida’s flagship PBS station.
Since then, Representative Eskamani has been a steadfast advocate for WUCF and public media, championing its role in providing educational resources, promoting civic engagement and delivering vital public safety information to our community.
“Public media has always held a special place in my heart and an impactful role in my life,” Eskamani said. “Growing up, I watched PBS shows that taught me the values of kindness, community and curiosity. My parents would always play NPR in the car, sparking my interest in the world around me and instilling a lifelong appreciation for thoughtful, fact-based storytelling.”
The Florida Public Media Champion Award highlights leaders like Eskamani who ensure that public media remains a vital resource for education and connection. This year’s celebration also recognized Representative Josie Tomkow (R-51)—whose district includes parts of Polk County—with the inaugural Florida Public Media Prize, honoring her extraordinary efforts during the most recent legislative session.
“We are thankful for the broad, bipartisan support we receive from the Commissioner of Education, the Governor, the Florida House and the Florida Senate—we thank them for their many years of support,” said Patrick Yack, Executive Director of Florida Public Media. “Our award winners have been steadfast and committed champions of our work in education, public safety and civic engagement, and they deserve our special thanks.”
WUCF, Central Florida’s public media station, continues to serve as a beacon of trusted journalism, thought-provoking programming and educational resources for the region, made possible through the dedication of community leaders and supporters.
“Public media connects us, educates us and enriches our lives, and I am humbled to stand alongside the dedicated professionals who make this possible,” Eskamani added. “This recognition fuels my commitment to ensuring public media continues to thrive for future generations.”
About WUCF: WUCF TV is the sole-service PBS member station for the nearly 4 million Central Floridians across nine counties. WUCF is Central Florida's storyteller, encouraging curiosity and learning through compelling content and community engagement. WUCF produces award-winning local content like "Florida Road Trip," which explores Florida through history, people and culture.
WUCF also serves Florida's youngest citizens, offering hours of PBS KIDS content on-air, online and in the classroom, leading the state in usage for PBS LearningMedia. Throughout its 10-year history, WUCF has engaged with over 1.5 million people across Central Florida at in-person events and over 30 million people online through virtual events and streaming content. The station is community-supported public broadcasting from the University of Central Florida. Learn more at http://wucf.org/.
Media Contact on Behalf of WUCF:
Christine Dellert Mullon
407.718.0199
