On December 17, we welcomed Rich Holmberg, President and CEO of Detroit PBS, who shared insights into his leadership journey and the mission of public broadcasting in Detroit.
On December 17, we welcomed Rich Holmberg, President and CEO of Detroit PBS, who shared insights into his leadership journey and the mission of public broadcasting in Detroit.
Rich emphasized his commitment to bringing communities together and fostering connection, noting Detroit PBS’s growth from 67,000 members earlier in the year to over 77,000 members today. As the only nonprofit media organization in Detroit, PBS is built on a foundation of trust with the community, the media, and the public. Rich described himself as a broadcaster rather than a journalist, underscoring the role of PBS in serving and engaging the community.
Detroit PBS operates around three main themes, Embracing Our Potential, Meeting the Challenge, and Imagining the Possibilities, and focuses on three key pillars: Kids, Culture, and Leadership. Guided by the idea of “One Detroit” and the outreach motto “Driving the Daily Dialogue,” the organization is actively working to bring people together and keep conversations going by reimagining how its archives and knowledge are shared.
Rich also addressed the current challenges facing the PBS system amid a shifting media landscape, system strain, and changes to operating models, including the loss of federal and state funding. Despite these challenges, he expressed strong optimism about PBS’s future, believing that trust, partnerships, content, and technology together create new possibilities. He closed by highlighting the continued importance of face-to-face and direct communication in building strong, connected communities.
Thank you, Rich, for joining us!