WHUT-PBS is inviting families, students, and local residents from across the region to join in the celebration at its annual FamFest, a community event taking place Saturday, Oct. 25, from 11 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Howard University’s main campus. 

Resources are tight at the nation’s public broadcasting stations, but leaders at the Howard-owned television station are finding creative ways to keep WHUT’s mission alive. FamFest will welcome guests for an afternoon of learning, live entertainment, and fellowship in the Valley, just south of the Yard. The event highlights the cultural heartbeat of Howard University and the enduring importance of Black-owned public media.

As Howard’s newest homecoming tradition, FamFest introduces young children to the promise of higher education and the pride of the Bison legacy.

“We’re planting seeds of post-secondary excellence at a very young age,” said Keisha Nelson, WHUT’s director of education and outreach. “We’re creating a space where families can explore, connect, and see themselves in Howard’s story. Even babies in their ‘Baby Bison’ onesies are part of that story.”

FamFest features three themed zones — Mind, Body, and Soul — each offering hands-on experiences and entertainment for all ages. In the Mind zone, children can engage with PBS Kids’ “Weather Hunters,” try STEM activities, and meet beloved PBS characters. The Body zone includes fitness fun with DC Divas and DC United, healthy eating tips from Howard’s Nutrition Department, and Whole Foods snack giveaways. The Soul zone celebrates culture with a Divine Nine step performance, live music from local Go-Go artist Jatah, and a virtual reality “See Yourself at Howard” experience.

As WHUT marks its 45th anniversary in November, the festival also underscores what’s at stake for Black-owned media. 

“We’re celebrating 45 years of Black media ownership — and that’s rare,” said Angela ‘Angie Ange’ Hailstorks, WHUT’s director of content. “Events like FamFest remind us why community storytelling matters, especially now. There’s not a lot of Black owned media, so the need to preserve our station WHUT as a training ground for the next generation of storytellers while also capturing and amplifying the Black perspective is of high importance, especially in this moment.” 

Howard University’s long-standing ownership of a PBS station is historic but recent federal funding cuts to public broadcasting have hit WHUT especially hard. The station lost 30% of its budget — including key grants that supported early childhood education and community outreach. 

Station leaders see this year’s FamFest as proof of the station’s resilience. Nelson said the event came together through months of planning, partnership, and a shared determination to keep WHUT’s community mission visible. Teams from across Howard University collaborated with PBS, local organizations, and alumni-owned businesses to create the colorful hands-on experiences for families despite the large budget cuts.

“We know there are large disparities and gaps in education for our most vulnerable communities and the neighborhoods that look like us,” Nelson said. “Being an HBCU that owns a public broadcasting station with a mission to support families like ours is critical work. That’s what keeps us going, even when resources are tight.”

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