Louisana Speaks Documentary Wins Emmy
'Our Voice, Our Plan, Our Future' awarded Service Program Award
at 2007 Suncoast Regional Emmy Awards
December 4th, 2007
Louisiana Speaks reeled in another honor this weekend when the Suncoast Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awarded the hour-long documentary "Louisiana Speaks: Our Voice, Our Plan, Our Future," produced by Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB), an Emmy award for Service Programming at its annual awards ceremony in Florida.
Public television stations across Louisiana, Georgia and Texas broadcast the documentary "Our Voice, Our Plan, Our Future," which was hosted by Louisiana-born actress, Lynn Whitfield, during the months of January and February.
The program, which was made possible in part by a generous grant from the Fannie Mae Foundation, informed viewers about a range of issues, including community growth, transportation, coastal protection and economic development. Production for the program was led by LPB producer Alfonso Godoy. Writing and technical assistance was provided by the Louisiana Recovery Authority, Center for Planning Excellence, Calthorpe Associates, Fregonese Associates, and the state's Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA).
The documentary was one arm of the major public outreach campaign to engage citizens across South Louisiana on their views about the region's future. The unprecedented response to this outreach campaign included more than 27,000 Louisianans voicing their opinions, which formed the basis of the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan.
"It is a thrilling affirmation that Louisiana Speaks has been honored with an Emmy as an outstanding service program. This documentary gave citizens the information and perspectives they needed to shape a vision for Louisiana's recovery and future," said Donna Fraiche, chair of the Louisiana Recovery Authority's (LRA) Long-Term Community Planning Task Force. "Tens of thousands of Louisiana citizens across the state and nation relied on this piece for an unprecedented planning opportunity. We thank all who contributed not only to this documentary, but to a robust regional plan that gives Louisiana a hopeful safer and stronger future. We are especially grateful to LPB for its commitment to public outreach, which helped make this historic plan possible."
Louisiana Speaks, a long-term planning initiative of the LRA, was created in the wake of the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Spanning parishes from the Texas to Mississippi border--including the Houma/Thibodaux, New Orleans, North Shore, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, St. Bernard and Plaquemines areas--the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan provides a broad strategic framework and priorities for land use, transportation, community growth and economic development in South Louisiana.
"LPB is very proud to receive this honor," LPB President and CEO Beth Courtney said. "This was truly a team effort by our staff and the people involved with the Louisiana Speaks project and I want to congratulate everyone who contributed their talents to make this project possible."
Louisiana Speaks' Emmy award is the latest in a series of honors. In September, the Louisiana Chapter of the American Planning Association awarded the Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan with its "Current Topic Award," the Louisiana Speaks Planning Toolkit with its "Outstanding Planning Award" for a project, program or tool and the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book with its "Public Education Award."
""Our Voice, Our Plan, Our Future.' is a great example of the spirit of collaboration that defines Louisiana Speaks," said Elizabeth "Boo" Thomas, president and CEO of the Center for Planning Excellence, which provides support to Louisiana Speaks. "The entire initiative is based in a public-private partnership and is almost entirely funded by donations. This recognition gives us encouragement to seek even more creative solutions to the complex issues we face in South Louisiana today."