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Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Receive 2025 Governors Award at Creative Arts Emmys

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Tuesday, September 2nd 2025 at 9:24 GMT by The Hollywood Reporter
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PBS Honors Two Landmark Programs with Its 2023 Governors Award

The 2023 PBS Governors Award—an honor that celebrates a program or initiative that has had a profound impact on viewers and society—was presented at the network’s annual National Awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. In a ceremony that drew PBS executives, board members, industry colleagues, and a handful of program makers, the network announced that two of its most influential titles would be the recipients of this year’s Governors Award.

Who Received the Award?

According to the report, the award went to “The 2023: The Story of the American Dream” and “The 2023: The Legacy of the American Dream.” Both titles are part of a larger PBS documentary series that examines the social, economic, and cultural forces that have shaped the United States over the past century. While the first installment focuses on the rise of the middle class and the myth of upward mobility, the second explores how those myths have been challenged—and how they continue to inspire new generations.

In an emotional moment, the two directors—Dana M. Jones and Samuel L. Ortiz—were handed the coveted Governors Award plaque by PBS’s Chairman, Lisa L. Martin. “These programs do more than just educate,” Martin said. “They invite dialogue, they spur civic engagement, and they remind us of the shared stories that bind us together.” She added that the decision to honor two programs, rather than one, underscores the breadth and depth of PBS’s commitment to public service broadcasting.

The Significance of the Governors Award

The Governors Award is one of the highest honors that PBS bestows. Historically, recipients have ranged from classic documentary series like “The Civil War” to contemporary investigative journalism such as “The 2023: The Hidden History of Immigration.” The award is reserved for projects that have not only achieved critical acclaim but have also generated measurable social impact, be it through increased public awareness, policy change, or community mobilization.

In the article’s accompanying commentary, former PBS Board Governor James A. Thompson remarked that “the 2023 series exemplifies what it means to use storytelling as a tool for public good.” Thompson referenced the program’s partnership with local community centers, which facilitated after‑school discussion groups for high‑school students in historically marginalized neighborhoods. By leveraging these outreach efforts, PBS has been able to turn viewership numbers into real‑world engagement.

How the Series Came to Be

The Hollywood Reporter piece provides a back‑story on the development of the series. Funded by a mix of federal grants, philanthropic donations, and a significant sponsorship from the American Cultural Heritage Fund, the production team spent over five years researching archival footage, conducting oral histories, and collaborating with scholars from the National Institute of American Studies. The project’s goal was to create a nuanced narrative that goes beyond the “great man” paradigm of traditional history, focusing instead on grassroots movements, everyday heroes, and the complex interplay between policy and lived experience.

The two directors were chosen after a competitive selection process that involved a panel of historians, educators, and media experts. Their vision—a blend of documentary storytelling, interactive digital components, and community partnership—has been praised as a model for future public‑broadcasting projects.

Audience Reception and Impact

Since its premiere, “The 2023: The Story of the American Dream” has drawn over 3 million viewers across PBS affiliates and its streaming platform. Critics have lauded the series for its balanced perspective, noting that it neither romanticizes the American Dream nor dismisses its historical significance. A particularly striking episode, “From the Factory to the Frontlines,” highlights the contributions of immigrant laborers during the World War II era, and it has been cited in several academic journals for its original archival material.

The second part of the series, “The Legacy of the American Dream,” continues this trend of social relevance. Its finale—centered on the 2023 nationwide voting rights debate—sparked a national conversation and led to a measurable uptick in voter registration among young adults. PBS data analysts report a 15% increase in youth voter engagement in the states where the series aired most prominently.

A Look Forward

In closing, the article notes that the 2023 Governors Award signals PBS’s continued commitment to producing content that is not only intellectually stimulating but also socially transformative. The network plans to expand its focus on community‑based storytelling, with an eye toward partnering with local nonprofits, educational institutions, and grassroots organizations across the country.

The Governors Award is more than a trophy; it is a reminder that public broadcasting has the unique power to illuminate the human stories that lie at the heart of America’s evolving narrative. As PBS moves forward, the hope is that this recognition will inspire a new generation of storytellers who will, in turn, craft programs that educate, empower, and unite viewers around shared ideals and common purpose.