As we kick off Summer 2025, VPM is using the longer days to engage our communities through various speaking engagements, podcast appearances and more. Plus, it’s still award season and VPM just picked up some additional hardware!
Read more below about some of VPM’s monthly community engagement activities in June 2025.
Speaking Engagements
On June 5, VPM executive producer Mason Mills joined a panel discussion from the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) on how public media stations can build meaningful partnerships with independent producers in our communities. The group included colleagues from across the country who have navigated the ins and outs of working with local creators to build robust programs that are elevating community voices.
A couple days later, Mason travelled to Durham, NC to join a panel discussion on powerful partnerships from the Southern Documentary Fund.
On June 6, VPM President & CEO Jayme Swain joined Many Hands (formerly Mindful Mornings) for a thoughtful conversation on the state of public media. Jayme talked about what public media does, what it provides, why it matters and what it means to steward independent journalism in this political climate. You can listen to the conversation on Spotify and Apple.
Jayme also joined the Women Advancing Podcast hosted by Kate Byrne to discuss the significance of public media in our communities and the recent threats to its federal funding. You can watch the full conversation here.
Awards
VPM's producing partners won 2 regional Emmy Awards from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, also known as The Capital Emmys.
In the News
On Juneteenth, VPM’s Finding Edna Lewis and show host Deb Freeman were featured in a segment on NBC’s TODAY Show about Lewis and her many contributions to the American culinary landscape that are still on display today.
PBS recently announced that VPM President & CEO Jayme Swain was elected professional vice chair for the PBS board of directors.
Looking to learn more about VPM’s impact in our communities? Visit the VPM Impact Page.