Central Illinois American Portrait

Public television though is trying out a new way of documenting American life, one that’s particularly apt during this pandemic and more recently, protests sparked by the killing of George Floyd. They’re having viewers submit their own video, using the technology found in their pockets -- their phones. The initiative is called American Portrait. 

Illinois Public Media and WILL, the PBS member station in Urbana-Champaign, produced ts own version of the American Portrait storytelling series. Six people in central Illinois documented their lives each week since late February. We talked with the executive producer and two participants.

Guests:

Kia Southerland, Class of 2020 Senior in Champaign (Central High School)

Rev. Leah Robberts-Mosser, Reverend at Community United Church of Christ in Urbana

Sarah Edwards, senior producer at Illinois Public Media

American Portrait Central Illinois airtime:

WILL-TV Thursday, June 18 at 7:30 p.m. See the trailer below.