ORLANDO, Fla. (August 11, 2022) – A student-produced multimedia journalism project spotlighting the story of Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore, a Black couple from Brevard County who were instrumental in the modern civil rights movement in 1951, has been honored with an Edward R. Murrow Award.
WUCF TV, Central Florida’s PBS station, in collaboration with the Nicholson School of Communication and Media at the University of Central Florida produced The Road to Freedom Avenue – The Legacy of Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore, a project featuring audio, visual and written content from UCF journalism students.
Of the awards given to journalists, the Murrow Awards are among the most respected journalism awards in the world. WUCF was named the winner of Excellence in Digital Reporting for the Moore project in the national student awards.
The Moores were educators and activists in Mims, Fla., with Harry Moore establishing the first NAACP chapter in the county. Their anti-racist efforts challenged the status quo that discriminated against them. On Christmas night in 1951, their house was bombed by white supremacists while they slept, causing their deaths. A replica of their home was built on their street, Freedom Avenue; several markers, a cultural complex museum, and many local residents still carry their message today.
WUCF executive director Jennifer Cook said digital platforms are a vital way to share important stories of our history out to the world.
"Partnering and collaborating with journalists and producers throughout our community allow us to fulfill our role as Central Florida's Storytellers," Cook said. “Students at the University of Central Florida are doing some great work. We are honored to join them in getting these important stories out to larger audiences, especially the untold stories that help educate and engage our audience."
Rick Brunson, UCF Senior Instructor of Journalism, said the project started with a Facebook post. Moved to action after reading about the racism and domestic terrorism under the color of law in the 1940s and ‘50s, Brunson visited the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex in Mims to learn more and pay his respects. Upon returning to the classroom Brunson turned the story into a class project for students in his RTV 3301 Electronic Journalism 1 class.
"We are so grateful to WUCF for suggesting and fully supporting this partnership," Brunson said. "It was so gratifying for the students and such a privilege to honor the Moores’ legacy and the impact their lives continue to have on Central Florida and beyond."
The 2022 National Murrow Awards will be presented in New York City in October.
To learn more about The Moore Project, please visit wucf.org/themooreproject/.
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About WUCF TV
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. The station is community-supported public broadcasting from the University of Central Florida. Learn more at http://wucf.org/.