FAMU To Update Florida Board Of Governors On Financial Woes After CFO ‘Failed Pretty Miserably’
FAMU officials are sharing the school's plans to fix its financial woes.
Florida A&M University will face the Florida Board of Governors in a public meeting to outline the steps being taken to resolve its financial troubles.
On Sept. 11, FAMU Vice President for Audit Credentials Joseph Maleszewski will deliver a presentation during the board’s 8:15 a.m. audit and compliance committee meeting, which is open to the public, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. The briefing comes in response to recent audit findings and will precede a full board meeting later that afternoon at 3 p.m.
FAMU’s financial practices came under scrutiny during a June 18 meeting, which confirmed Marva Johnson as the school’s new president. It followed a March 2025 audit that flagged delayed bank reconciliations, late vendor payments, weak internal controls, and limited staff oversight. In addition to the audit issues, critics said Rebecca Brown, FAMU’s CFO and Senior VP of Finance for over two years, had “failed pretty miserably” in overseeing the school’s finances.
“This is serious. It’s systemic, and that’s a word I don’t think they were tossing around lightly. This time around, it’s pretty systemic in the accounting side,” Audit and Compliance Committee Chair Aubrey Edge said during the June meeting.
As a result, Brown was placed on leave in July, and Chief Budget Officer Nichole Murray was named senior vice president of Finance and Administration and CFO by former interim President Timothy Beard. The audit issues followed the school’s decision to terminate a planned audit of its athletics department in September 2024, after failing to provide the required documentation.
The program’s last completed audit covered the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, although NCAA rules require financial reporting to be done annually. All the while, FAMU’s Athletics Director Angela Suggs remains on paid administrative leave following charges of grand theft and fraudulent travel claims tied to her former role as CEO of the Florida Sports Foundation.
FAMU’s plan to address its financial challenges includes expanding the Athletics Business Office to handle audit issues, hiring and training additional staff for bank reconciliations, and partnering with the national accounting firm Cherry Bekaert for support. Steps already underway include correcting investment accounting and recording errors identified in FAMU’s operational audit, settling overdue invoices, and utilizing third-party onsite support to address staffing gaps.
Royal Caribbean Passenger Jumps Ship—LITERALLY—To Allegedly Avoid $16K Gambling Debt
When 'jumping ship' isn’t just a figure of speech.
A man who authorities say jumped off a Royal Caribbean cruise ship near the Port of San Juan to avoid paying a $16,000 in gambling debt to the cruise line has been charged with a federal crime, authorities say.
Jey Gonzalez-Diaz was a passenger on Rhapsody of the Seas, which departed from the Port of San Juan for a week-long cruise to Barbados before returning September 7.
When other passengers were disembarking, Gonzalez-Diaz jumped into the water, according to the criminal complaint obtained by CBS News. Survival videos showed passing jet ski drivers rescuing Gonzalez-Diaz.
US Customs and Border Protection officers later detained Gonzalez-Diaz near San Juan. The complaint states that González-Díaz told officials he jumped off the ship to avoid reporting the money he was carrying because he believed he would be taxed. Upon further investigation, authorities soon learned that González Díaz owed $16,710.24 to the cruise line, “almost exclusively associated with casino and gaming expenses,” El Nuevo Dia reported.
According to the complaint, he was carrying two phones, five IDs, and $14,600 in cash. González-Díaz told investigators that Jeremy Omar González Díaz is his brother. Records checks of the identifications showed that Jeremy Omar González Díaz has been in federal prison in Puerto Rico since January for drug trafficking and weapons possession.
When authorities asked him for his full name, he told investigators, “If you guys were good at your job, you would know that.”
According to the Royal Caribbean website, guests can charge up to $10,000 per day to their onboard expense account for gambling at the casino. The cruise line stated that the Icon of the Seas houses the largest casino at sea.
A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean told The New York Times that the cruise line was cooperating with authorities but declined to comment further.
Authorities have accused Gonzalez-Diaz of attempting to avoid monetary reporting requirements when traveling into the United States. If convicted, he could face a fine of up to $250,000 or a maximum five-year prison sentence.
REVOLT Brings Watch Culture To The Mainstream With ‘Wrist Check Pod’ Partnership
REVOLT is expanding its cultural footprint once again, this time bringing watch culture into the mainstream. The youth-driven multimedia company announced a new partnership with Wrist Check Pod, the breakout series merging watches and culture.
Beginning September 15, episodes of Wrist Check Pod will air weekly on REVOLT, marking a major moment for the watch industry as conversations once confined to collector circles move into the cultural mainstream. The move not only broadens REVOLT’s content mix but also signals a new era for the watch industry – one that reflects the voices, creativity, and cultural relevance of communities often excluded from traditional conversations.
The New Guard of Watch Culture
Co-founded and hosted by longtime friends Perri Dash and Rashawn Smith, Wrist Check Pod has quickly become a go-to voice in modern watch culture. Guests like rapper Larry June and media personality N.O.R.E. have already helped connect the dots between music, entrepreneurship, and collecting.
Dash and Smith bring a unique dual perspective to every episode. Dash’s career includes an impressive background at Pharrell Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club, David Yurman and Watches of Switzerland, and Ralph Lauren’s vintage watch division, establishing him as both an insider and tastemaker. Smith, whose background spans J.Crew and Watches of Switzerland, adds a creative lens that balances industry experience with storytelling. Together, they represent the new guard of watch culture, authentic voices who merge credibility, creativity, and cultural fluency to push the industry forward.
“We built Wrist Check Pod to prove watch culture isn’t a closed world—it’s alive, it’s ours, and it’s part of the culture,” Dash said. “Partnering with REVOLT lets us amplify that message, showing the stories, legacies, and identities behind every timepiece to an audience that already understands the value of authenticity.”
Timepieces as Storytelling
For REVOLT, the series adds another layer to its mission of elevating authentic cultural narratives. “Watches have never just been about telling time,” said Deon Graham, Chief Content Officer of REVOLT. “They have always been about telling stories, about identity, heritage, and culture. On every wrist is a narrative: a symbol of where someone comes from, what they have achieved, and what they aspire to. This show is about putting those stories into the cultural spotlight and honoring the role Hip-Hop, street culture, and independent voices have played in shaping the global watch industry.”
Beyond Luxury: A Cultural Investment
Produced with the help of entertainment executive Vincent Lambino, the partnership underscores REVOLT’s strategy to push cultural boundaries and open the gateways to traditionally exclusive spaces, reframing them for a broader, younger audience.
Wrist Check Pod premieres on September 15, 2025, with new episodes airing every Monday at 8 p.m. EST on REVOLT. Episodes will also be available Tuesdays at 11 a.m. EST on YouTube and the REVOLT app. Fans can join the conversation using #REVOLTWristCheck.
Black People React To The Fatal Shooting Of Right-Wing Activist Charlie Kirk At A Utah College
Kirk had built a platform off of white supremacist ideologies.
As the fatal shooting of right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk made headlines, Black people shared their reactions to the polarizing incident.
Kirk died during an event on Sept. 10 for Turning Point USA, a nonprofit for conservative youth co-founded by the Christian Nationalist, at Utah Valley University. The graphicness of the scene sparked its own controversy, with many political figures condemning the violence.
President Donald Trump, whom Kirk was a staunch supporter of, had all U.S. flags lowered to half-mast after his death. He even suggested that he remains a “legendary” figure who had the “heart of the youth,” Reuters reported.
However, many Black people had differing reactions to Kirk’s death. The 31-year-old conservative pundit became a notorious leading voice of the alt-right movement. He often used his platform to promote white supremacist ideologies as well as racist and prejudiced rhetoric. Right before his death, Kirk had brought up gang violence, considered coded language for Black people committing crimes, when asked about mass shootings in America.
Given this, some critics had little empathy to spare for his death.
Charlie Kirk isn’t a martyr. He’s a casualty of the violence he incited.
“Charlie Kirk isn’t a martyr. He’s a casualty of the violence he incited,” shared educator and organizer Zellie Imani.
Other social media users shared empathy for his children. However, they could not shake Kirk’s stances against many, if not most, marginalized identity groups.
I have pity for his kids, but that’s about it. Charlie Kirk was a hateful individual who derived joy from being racist, homophobic, islamophobic, pro-genocide, anti-human rights, a religious fanatic, pro-guns, anti-abortion, anti-women, and anti-people of colour . pic.twitter.com/XzP5BUf6MA
“I have pity for his kids, but that’s about it. Charlie Kirk was a hateful individual who derived joy from being racist, homophobic, islamophobic, pro-genocide, anti-human rights, a religious fanatic, pro-guns, anti-abortion, anti-women, and anti-people of colour,” wrote another.
While not going as far as celebrating Kirk’s shooting, another X user reminded others that Kirk spent his life demeaning Black people’s plight before his unexpected death.
I do not CELEBRATE anyone’s death, so I’m not celebrating but LET THIS BE A LESSON TO OTHERS..
“I do not CELEBRATE anyone’s death, so I’m not celebrating, but LET THIS BE A LESSON TO OTHERS. Charlie Kirk spent his time on this earth attacking Black people & being racist… & that’s how he’ll be remembered.”
On the other hand, some had more mixed feelings toward the alt-right conservative’s gruesome death. Cultural commentator Van Lathan emphasized that he felt “terrible” about his death, despite all of the man’s offensive words.
There is no way I’m going to see that video of Charlie Kirk being shot and feel anything other than terrible. I’m aware of all of it, the rhetoric, the hatefulness, all of it from him, but I can’t be robbed of my compassion, that was awful, and we HAVE to try to be better.
“There is no way I’m going to see that video of Charlie Kirk being shot and feel anything other than terrible. I’m aware of all of it, the rhetoric, the hatefulness, all of it from him, but I can’t be robbed of my compassion, that was awful, and we HAVE to try to be better,” expressed Lathan.
However, others also highlighted how his death was an act of gun violence. While not mincing words about Kirk’s suggested ideologies, another X user emphasized how the “lack of gun control” played a role.
Charlie Kirk was a neo Nazi. And I do not feel bad for neo Nazis. He was a victim of his own advocacy for a lack of gun control. He advocated for violence against marginalized people for the advancement of white evangelical Christianity and white supremacy.
“Charlie Kirk was a neo Nazi. And I do not feel bad for neo Nazis,” asserted the social media user. “He was a victim of his own advocacy for a lack of gun control. He advocated for violence against marginalized people for the advancement of white evangelical Christianity and white supremacy.”
While many agreed that gun violence should stop, Black people felt mixed emotions, or no empathy at all, for the man who died while talking about gang violence.
350K NYC Students To Receive Free Computers Thanks To Mayor Eric Adams, Yankees Star Jazz Chisholm Jr.
Chisholm, who was born in the the Bahamas, says he enjoys giving back to the less fortunate.
Students in the New York City school system will have access to brand new laptops thanks to a massive donation from New York Yankees All-Star infielder and center fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr., in collaboration with Mayor Eric Adams and mobile service provider T-Mobile, the New York Post reports.
Underserved students in grades K-12 will receive 350,000 new Chromebooks featuring free LTE and 5G network provided by the phone carrier for a campaign to “Bridge the Digital Divide.”
Adams made the Sept. 8 announcement from DeWitt Clinton High School in The Bronx alongside Chisholm, Department of Education (DOE) Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and chief technology officer Matthew Fraser.
Thes computers, Adams said, will go to the “future writers, teachers, mathematicians in the making.”
The commitment, which Aviles-Ramos said will result in every student receiving a new device by the end of the school year, correlates to a bigger promise from February 2025 from the Adams administration and T-Mobile, which was labeled as the primary wireless carrier in the Big Apple in exchange for city employees receiving discounted cell service.
The Chromebooks will first go to the schools where they are needed and then to students living in temporary housing and high-poverty areas.
“I’ve been in New York for two years now, and this is like the seventh school I’ve visited, and this is the seventh time we’re doing this,” said Chisholm, who was born in the Bahamas and has a nonprofit, the Jazz Chisholm Foundation. “So I love giving back. I love giving back to the community because this reminds me of where I grew up.”
In addition to the Chromebooks, Chisholm’s foundation recently partnered with CS/PS-55 in the Bronx, donating 25 touch-screen laptop computers and other necessary improvements to the school’s computer lab.
Helping kids in need is near to the Yankees star’s heart. While growing up in Nassau, big leaguers such as Gary Sheffield, Hanley Ramirez and Antoan Richardson donated equipment to Little Leaguers.
“I got some stuff from the big leaguers, and I always remembered how I felt every time I received a bat and batting gloves,” Chisholm said. “At 12 years old, my Little League team went to Florida for the Little League World Series regionals, and Hanley Ramirez gave our entire team two batting gloves.
“We still have them to this day. I always remember that memorabilia stuff.”
Cuban-Born Lawmaker Urges Trump And DHS To Probe Alleged Cuban Agents In The U.S.
A Cuban-born Florida congressman is urging DHS to investigate alleged Cuban agents residing in the U.S.
The nation’s only Cuban-born lawmaker is urging the Department of Homeland Security to investigate a list of people he claims may be agents of Cuba’s current president, Miguel Díaz-Canel, or related to the late Fidel Castro.
On Sept. 9, Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., who fled Cuba as a child in 1960, called on DHS to investigate individuals his office and human rights groups believe are tied to Díaz-Canel’s regime or the late Castro brothers, Fox News reports. Gimenez, who represents the congressional district closest to Cuba in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, sent a “warning” to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem about the “presence of agents of the murderous Castro regime and the Communist Party of Cuba currently residing in the United States.”
“It is crucial that the Department of Homeland Security enforce existing U.S. laws to identify, deport, and repatriate these individuals who pose a threat to our national security,” Gimenez wrote in the letter.
Gimenez’s letter named individuals in the U.S. under humanitarian programs who, according to pro-democracy groups, are tied to Díaz-Canel’s communist regime and accused of human rights abuses. It comes after Trump ordered an airstrike on a boat allegedly carrying drug-trafficking gang members, a move critics say violates the War Powers Act.
The strike, part of Trump’s crackdown on cartels, dictatorships, and migration, has spurred Cuban-American lawmakers and activists to push for similar action against Havana.
The Florida lawmaker argues that many of the individuals named in his letter “gamed” the immigration system, and sees their presence in the country as a “direct insult” to Cuban exiles who fled in search of freedom. He urged Noem to deliver a report by Sept. 26 outlining whether DHS has investigated the named individuals, pursued deportation or removal, and, if not, why no action has been taken.
Djimon Hounsou Hosts Annual Run In Richmond, Virginia, To Promote Preservation Of Black History
The Djimon Hounsou Foundation will hold its fourth annual 'Run Richmond' to highlight and preserve Black history.
Actor Djimon Hounsou is taking to Richmond, Virginia, to host his fourth annual run in an effort to promote the preservation of Black history.
On Sept. 27, the Djimon Hounsou Foundation will host its “Run Richmond,” featuring running and walking routes designed to honor the history of African enslavement across Europe and the Western world. Hounsou, a native of Benin and star of Steven Spielberg’s 1997 film Amistad, hopes the event will inspire greater awareness of the history linking the United States and Europe to African nations.
“It’s time for Afro descendants to know where they come from and to know who they are and how powerful their history is and how powerful they are as people,” Hounsou toldUSA Today.
Although Hounsou grew up in Benin, a central hub of the transatlantic slave trade, he says it wasn’t until starring in Amistad that he fully grasped the era’s brutality and its lasting global impact.
“It really opened my mind about who I am … the history of my continent and the history of the diaspora,” Hounsou said. “We are very cut off from our past.”
Run Richmond covers 16.19 km (10.6 miles), symbolizing 1619, the year a slave ship from Angola arrived in the English colonies. A shorter 6.19K (3.85-mile) walk/run will also take place that day. Along the route, participants can use an app to hear a tour of Black historic sites narrated by Hounsou.
The award-winning actor hopes the event will serve as a meaningful pilgrimage for African Americans and others eager to engage with this history, particularly as the teachings of Black history face increasing challenges in schools and museums.
“It’s time for Afro descendants to know where they come from and to know who they are and how powerful their history is and how powerful they are as people,” he said. “It’s our obligation as people of the land … to keep that history alive in whatever ways possible.”
Named 2025 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders, these institutions are lauded by the program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of State and funded by the federal government.
Twenty historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are being recognized for their exceptional engagement with The Fulbright Program, the nation’s flagship international academic exchange program. Named 2025 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders, these institutions are lauded by the program, which is administered by the U.S. Department of State and funded by the federal government.
“Being named a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader is a powerful affirmation of our commitment to expanding access and opportunity for our students,” said Spelman Interim President and alumna Rosalind ‘Roz’ Brewer, whose all-women’s institution is recognized for the sixth year. “This recognition reflects our dedication to preparing students and faculty to lead, serve, and engage across borders, and we are proud to be part of a program that transforms lives through international education.”
Since 1946, the Fulbright Program has offered nearly 450,000 students, teachers, scholars, artists, and professionals from all backgrounds and a range of institutions the opportunity to study, teach, conduct research, exchange ideas, and contribute to finding solutions to complex global challenges. Over the past six years, the program has recognized HBCU Institutional Leaders as those who demonstrate noteworthy support of Fulbright exchange participants and whose campuses highlight “the strength of HBCUs as destinations for international students and scholars.
Source: Twenty HBCUs are named as 2025 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders.
Lincoln University is also being recognized for the sixth consecutive year. The Pennsylvania HBCU has three Language Teaching Assistants from Kenya, Egypt, and Argentina, respectively, teaching Swahili, Arabic, and Spanish.
“Our Fulbright programs bring global perspectives, world languages and cultures, and new ideas into our students’ classrooms, our faculty’s research, and our campus community,” said Lincoln’s Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant Coordinator Dr. Nora Lynn Gardner, who also serves as a Fulbright Program Advisor and Fulbright Scholar Liaison on campus.
North Carolina Central University is recognized for the third year in a row, with a long history of connections within the organization. Since 1961, the university notes that 27 of its professors have participated in the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. Over the past 25 years, the university has hosted visiting scholars from Ghana, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine, as well as three scholars-in-residence from India and South Africa.
“Being named a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader isn’t just about recognition, it’s about impact,” said Ontario Wooden, Ph.D., provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “Every Fulbright scholar who walks through our doors strengthens our campus, our community, and the global perspective we offer our students.”
In addition to the HBCU Institutional Leaders, the program boasts prominent Fulbright alums from HBCUs, including Dr. Oscar Barton Jr., dean of the School of Engineering at Morgan State University; Dr. Rhonda Collier, head of Global Programs at Tuskegee University; Dr. Karl Jackson, chemistry professor and science researcher at Virginia State University; Dr. Ruth Simmons, a university president emerita; and the late Dr. Frank Martin Snowden Jr., an accomplished HBCU professor and American diplomat.
Other Fulbright Program competition deadlines are swiftly approaching: faculty applications for the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program are due Sept. 15, and the deadline for graduating seniors or alumni to apply for the program is Oct. 7.
Former DEI Exec, Celeste Warren, Launches Consulting Firm As New Book Reveals ‘The Truth About Equity’
Warren's newest work, "The Truth About Equity," shares personal insight into the building of DEI practices.
Celeste Warren, a leading voice for diversity within the global corporate sector, has announced the double-launch of her consulting firm and The Truth About Equity book.
Celeste Warren Consulting LLC will fuel efforts on behalf of corporations to bolster their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Under the mission of amplifying systemic change through equitable and transformative representation, the consulting firm hopes to champion these efforts amid a political push away from diversity.
With decades of expertise as a global diversity leader, Warren has seen the challenges and successes of spearheading DEI efforts for organizations of all sizes. While under a new political ecosystem, Warren remains a pioneer for this cause that ensures all can thrive in the workplace, leading to better productivity and efficiency.
“Diversity, equity, and inclusion have the ability to transform culture, drive business results, and improve lives around the world,” wrote Warren on her website. “When people feel valued and empowered, they are able to innovate and make amazing things happen.”
The former Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Merck offers four core services to clients, believing in the lucrative power of DEI investment. Warren’s team creates customized, evidence-based strategies that incorporate DEI frameworks into any organization’s overarching goals.
Another service implements training programs that educate professionals on actionable ways to promote inclusivity in the workplace. Additional features include speaking engagements and counseling by DEI professionals that address challenges while supporting the organizations, fostering equitable dynamics from the ground up.
Alongside her Celeste Warren Consulting LLC, the esteemed leader has released a new book, The Truth About Equity. Her second book details the journey to build sustainable DEI practices, no matter the organization. Warren’s work highlights the obstacles that may arise as companies incorporate these efforts into their workflow, while promoting long-term solutions that lead to greater success and opportunities.
“Through unflinching personal stories and real-world examples from boardrooms, classrooms, and communities, Warren dismantles the myths, exposes the systematic barriers, and offers a practical, actionable path forward for anyone in a position of leadership or influence,” detailed the author.
Her latest ventures come at a time when many corporations have taken a step back from DEI endeavors, many of which have entirely shut down departments and programming. However, Warren seeks to challenge this new mindset and reality, refocusing attention on the original mission of DEI. Now, she will continue her professional passion to drive belonging, support, and prosperity at work and beyond.
Al Roker Inspires the Next Generation with PBS KIDS ‘Weather Hunters’
Al Roker has long been a household name, best known for bringing the weather into America’s living rooms each morning on the TODAY show.
Al Roker has long been a household name, best known for bringing the weather into America’s living rooms each morning on the TODAY show. Now, he’s channeling his passion for science and education into something designed for the next generation: Weather Hunters. The new animated STEM series, premiering on PBS KIDS for children ages 5 to 8, blends adventure, comedy, and science to spark curiosity in young learners about weather, technology, engineering, and math.
BLACK ENTERPRISE sat down with Roker to talk about the inspiration behind the show, the importance of early STEM education, and how Weather Hunters is designed to empower children from all backgrounds.
BE:What inspired you to create Weather Hunters, and why do you believe early STEM education is so critical for kids today?
ROKER: I’ve always believed that weather is the most accessible form of science; every child experiences it daily, and kids are so curious about it. My children asked me about rainbows when they were kids, and my youngest wanted to package one up to give to his mom as a present.
Growing up, my true passion was animation, and I wanted to be an animator for Disney. I fell into being a weatherman with my additional fascination for all things weather, and I had this idea for a series for many years. Weather Hunters was born from the idea that if we can spark curiosity about weather, we can open the door to broader learning, and this series is loosely based on my family.
BE:How does Weather Hunters uniquely blend entertainment and education to keep young viewers engaged while teaching complex STEM concepts?
We built the show to feel like an adventure first, and a science lesson second. Storytelling, humor, and relatable characters are at the core — the science is woven seamlessly into the narrative. Kids don’t feel like they’re being lectured; instead, they’re solving mysteries, following the forecast, or joining in experiments with the characters. That blend of fun and fact is what keeps them watching while they’re learning.
The series is for children ages 5-8, but I think parents will enjoy it too. It’s designed to support kids’ learning about Earth science and meteorology through adventure and comedy to cultivate their awareness, curiosity, and caring about how weather impacts individuals, communities, and our global society. Weather Hunters centers on Lily Hunter, an intrepid and observant 8-year-old weather detective who shares her investigations with her family and friends. The Hunters’ primary goal is to learn as much as they can about weather to benefit the community and the planet.
BE: What role do you see diversity and representation playing in STEM education, especially for young children?
Representation is everything. When kids see characters who look like them, sound like them, or come from their communities, it sends a powerful message: “This is for you.” Weather Hunters makes sure every child feels included in that journey. Our team is also incredible with the series’s voice cast, which includes the actors LeVar Burton, Holly Robinson Peete, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.
BE:Can you share how your extensive career in weather reporting influenced the development and content of Weather Hunters?
My decades on TODAY have taught me that weather touches everyone. Whether it’s a snowstorm or a sunny day, people tune in because it matters to their lives. That same approach is in Weather Hunters. I wanted to translate what I’ve done for adults every morning into something children could connect with — breaking down complex ideas into clear, engaging takeaways and having some fun along the way.
BE:How do you hope Weather Hunters will impact children’s perceptions of science and technology long-term?
We want children and those who watch Weather Hunters with them to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the weather and environment around them. And this program will hopefully give them the tools to think critically about the weather in their communities and be prepared to take care of themselves and their families.
BE: What challenges did you face in adapting STEM topics for a younger audience, and how did you overcome them?
Having PBS KIDS as a partner helps our curriculum professionals work with our writing staff to make the STEM topics understandable and more easily relevant. At the same time, if it doesn’t stimulate and entertain, that information won’t resonate with our viewers, both children and caregivers alike.
BE: How can parents and educators best use Weather Hunters as a tool to foster STEM curiosity beyond the screen?
I think Weather Hunters can help parents, caregivers, and educators when they take the everyday lessons that the Hunters instill in their kids to be inquisitive, curious, and open to see the world around them and to explore that world with awe and appreciation so many of us take for granted.
BE:Al Roker Entertainment, your production company, has been behind several impactful projects. Can you share what exciting new initiatives or productions you have in the works?
This series is under WeatherHunters Inc., and we are expanding with some exciting news soon about what this world will look like beyond the series.
Al Roker Entertainment is our flagship production company and has created content for decades with offices in New York, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia, and at ARE, we’re not just a production company; we’re a dynamic hub of collaboration, partnering with brilliant minds — Emmy winning producers, directors, writers, and media innovators — to bring stories to life in ways that leave an indelible mark. Our mission is to create content that sparks conversations, ignites passions, and fosters connections, all while pushing the boundaries of storytelling excellence.
Most recently, Gaining Ground: The Fight for Black Land and Kenyatta: Do Not Wait Your Turn, our award-winning documentaries, have been showcasing the potential of socially impactful content. These powerful narratives delve into pressing issues, like Heirs’ Property and political representation in America, respectively. Winning several notable awards across international festivals, they join our esteemed lineup of productions that continue to shape conversations and illuminate the world.
Catch Weather Hunters weekdays on PBS KIDS, check your local listings for times.
