FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PBS NORTH CAROLINA AWARDED $500K GRANT FROM THE WILLIAM R. KENAN, JR. CHARITABLE TRUST TO BOOST ITS ROOTLE AMBASSADOR PROGRAM

Award helps ensure all families in NC have access to valuable early learning resources.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 12/5/2024 — PBS North Carolina announces that The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust has awarded a $500,000 grant to boost its Rootle Ambassador Program. This groundbreaking initiative, launched in 2020 through the support of the Trust, connects young learners across the state to early learning resources with the help of local education champions. 

“The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust was the first to see the potential of Rootle Ambassadors to transform outcomes for our youngest learners and their families,” said Melissa Rihm Thibault, Ph.D., PBS North Carolina’s Chief Education and Innovation Officer. “With their continued investment, this sustainable network of champions for early learning will further leverage their connections within local communities, ensuring equity of opportunity for children across North Carolina.” 

Rootle Ambassadors are locally based education leaders who customize PBS KIDS and other early learning resources to fit the unique needs of families in their communities. Through the guidance of PBS North Carolina’s Division of Education and Innovation, Rootle Ambassadors receive resources, training and networking opportunities that enable them to enrich learning for all children. 

“The William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust is honored to partner with PBS North Carolina for this program that provides literacy, active mentoring and a positive impact on children and families in communities,” said Nancy J. Cable, William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust’s Executive Director. “We are delighted to be part of this effort to advance early childhood learning in a meaningful way across all 100 counties in the state.” 

Since its launch in 2020, Rootle Ambassadors have engaged their communities in 168 educational events with 20 local partner organizations, reaching a conservative estimate of 32,000 children and families. By July 2025, there will be Rootle Ambassadors based in all 100 North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary. 

The new grant will offer continued support of community events for families where Rootle Ambassadors share free resources from PBS North Carolina, PBS KIDS and local partners. Additionally, it will support the establishment and maintenance of Rootle Discovery Corners, community-based learning nooks for families that include books, toys and resources that encourage exploration. 

The funding will also enable PBS North Carolina to support the professional development of 101 Rootle Ambassadors, including their attendance at the Rootle Ambassador Academy, held annually at PBS North Carolina’s headquarters in Research Triangle Park, and the Impact Early Childhood Education Summit, an annual conference that offers sessions in areas like literacy, STEM and social-emotional learning. Additionally, funding will support the professional staff who manage the Rootle Ambassador Program. 

The Rootle Ambassadors also are supported by funding from the Camber Foundation, the Dogwood Health Trust, the Unifour Foundation, Dianna and Jeffrey Goodman, and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. 

For 21 consecutive years, Americans have rated PBS and its member stations as the most trusted institution in the nation. 89% of surveyed parents and caregivers say PBS KIDS helps prepare their children for success in school. PBS stations reach more children, and more parents of young children, in low-income homes than any children’s TV network. 

About Rootle PBS KIDS 

Rootle, PBS North Carolina’s 24/7 PBS KIDS channel, is a trusted educational partner to families, caregivers and educators across the state providing wholesome, educational and entertaining content for children ages two to eight. Learn more at pbsnc.org/rootle. 

About the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust 

The mission of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, a New York perpetual trust based in Chapel Hill, is to empower human potential through education and whole community investment. The Trust’s grantmaking is generally centered in the four states of Florida, New York, North Carolina and Virginia. To learn more about the Kenan Trust, visit kenancharitabletrust.org. 

About PBS North Carolina 

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

-PBS NC-

Media Contact 
Allyson Meade, Marketing & Communications 
PBS North Carolina 
press@pbsnc.org