BRIC wins 2 NY Emmy Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Television

Second Time Organization Has Won Illustrious Honor

May 16, 2017 By Scott Enman Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Welly Lai won an award for BRIC’s Brooklyn Free Speech in the category of Lifestyle Program: Feature/Segment for her piece “5 Boro Taste: World Cuisine in NYC.” Photo courtesy of BRIC

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Since its inception last year, award-winning cable TV and digital network BRIC TV has strived to publicize and expose the lesser-known issues affecting Brooklyn.

From breaking segregation in schools to LGBTQ civil rights to the effects of gentrification, BRIC TV has provided a voice for those who often cannot be heard.

And on May 6, the nonprofit cable channel was recognized for its groundbreaking work when it received two New York Emmys at the 60th Annual New York Emmy Awards.

BRIC is a nonprofit arts and media organization that was founded in 1979 and is located next to the BAM Harvey Theater in Fort Greene. BRIC is the leading presenter of free cultural programming in Brooklyn and one of the largest in New York City.

The organization received a total of 19 nominations this year. BRIC TV received 13 nominations, while BRIC’s Brooklyn Free Speech Public Access initiative garnered six.

With the 13 nominations, BRIC TV is tied with Thirteen/WNET as the top-nominated nonprofit organization, and BRIC is now the 10th most-nominated organization overall, tied with WNYW–FOX 5.

This year, BRIC received awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Television Industry for content produced in both BRIC TV and Brooklyn Free Speech.

It was the second time in the organization’s history that it has won the illustrious award.

“BRIC is committed to telling compelling Brooklyn stories, and to amplifying the voices of those that often remain unheard,” BRIC President Leslie Schultz.

“We are thankful for these honors and the critical acclaim of our video coverage as exemplified through BRIC TV’s focus on important stories that exist beyond mainstream media and Brooklyn Free Speech TV’s dedication to celebrating creative expression by marginalized populations.”

BRIC TV won for its “Holding on to Sea Gate after Hurricane Sandy,” a segment part of BRIC’s #BHeard series. Created in November 2015 by BRIC TV Senior Producer Charlie Hoxie, the piece takes a deeper look at coastal communities in Brooklyn and throughout the tri-state area facing serious challenges due to rising sea levels.

The piece details the struggles of how Sal From Sea Gate, a year after Superstorm Sandy destroyed his home, is still struggling to rebuild his life against a backdrop of insurance company red tape.

As part of the #BHeard series, BRIC hosts “#BHeard Town Halls,” where the network hosts local politicians, activists, journalists and community members to discuss important, often contentious, issues facing the borough.

During these meetings, “no topic is off-limits, and no viewpoint is ignored.”

“Holding on to Sea Gate after Hurricane Sandy” was part of a town hall dubbed “The Cost of an Urban Climate Crisis.”

“It is gratifying to see that media professionals in the media capital of the world have begun to recognize the quality of the work coming out of BRIC’s Community Media programs,” said BRIC Community Media Director Anthony Riddle.

“At BRIC we strive to give voice to the dreams of our community — this award emboldens those dreams as well.”

BRIC’s Brooklyn Free Speech won an award in the category of Lifestyle Program: Feature/Segment.

The piece, which was produced by Welly Lai in August 2016, was called “5 Boro Taste: World Cuisine in NYC.” The show explores how New York City’s many dining experiences are blended into a flavorful metaphor for a city of cultures thriving side-by-side.

In 2014, BRIC’s original television production team, formerly known as Brooklyn Independent Media, won an New York Emmy for Best Arts Feature/Segment for the segment “Neighborhood Beat: Carlos Pinto.”

Hoxie, who also produced that piece, articulated the honor of winning the award twice.

“I’m proud to bring this home to BRIC TV, and fortunate to work with such a great team,” Hoxie told the Brooklyn Eagle. “The win feels as important as it did three years ago. Winning in the Environment category felt particularly significant this year, as it is an issue that is very important to me.”

“BRIC TV won its first NY Emmy in 2014 for a piece that underscored the work of Carlos Pinto, a Flatbush artist and community member,” added BRIC TV Executive Producer Aziz Isham. “Since then, we have continued to fulfill BRIC’s mission of representing the artists, activists and community members within neighborhoods all around us.

“This year, we are proud to be recognized with another NY Emmy Award, re-affirming BRIC’s position within New York City’s thriving media ecosystem. BRIC will continue to illuminate these distinct Brooklyn-based stories. From long-time residents to the borough’s most recent immigrants — we share these awards with them.”

To watch BRIC’s programs, including the two winning segments, go to bricartsmedia.org.