BALTIMORE — Morgan State University has officially joined the ranks of Emmy Award winners. The University earned its first-ever individual Emmy Award at the 67th National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter Emmy Awards for the original documentary “History of a National Treasure: The Documentary Story of Morgan State University.” Produced by Morgan’s Center for New Media and Strategic Initiatives, the film received the award in the Documentary/Historical category. The win marks a significant milestone for the University as it continues to expand its national reputation as a hub for high-caliber media production and storytelling centered on the African American experience.
“This historic Emmy win is a shining testament to the creative brilliance and scholarly excellence that define Morgan,” said David K. Wilson, president of Morgan State University and an executive producer of the winning documentary. “From vision to execution, this project reflects the power of our storytelling and the importance of preserving the untold stories of Black America. I could not be prouder of our team, and I look forward to what’s next for the Center for New Media and Strategic Initiatives.”
Led by DeWayne Wickham, dean emeritus of Morgan’s School of Global Journalism and Communication (SGJC) and founding director of the Center, “History of a National Treasure” was developed as part of a larger mission to produce compelling documentaries and multimedia content about life in the African diaspora and the Black American experience. The project follows the Center’s debut film, “The Calvin Tyler Story,” and precedes future films in development spotlighting significant but underappreciated figures such as pioneering anthropologist and sociologist Ellen Irene Diggs and Medal of Honor recipient Christian Fleetwood. Both of the Center’s first two outputs debuted regionally on Maryland Public Television (MPT), a Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) member.
“Our Emmy win affirms the vision that President Wilson and I shared in founding the Center: to amplify Black voices and preserve stories that might otherwise go untold. Morgan’s story is one of those stories,” said Wickham, producer/director/writer of the winning documentary. “This is not just a win for Morgan but for America’s entire Black storytelling tradition.”
The Center for New Media and Strategic Initiatives operates within Morgan’s SGJC, under the leadership of Dean Jackie Jones. The award-winning team for the documentary included Wickham, President Wilson, editor Ivery Johnson and narrator Randall Pinkston, a veteran broadcast journalist.
“This Emmy Award reflects the standard of excellence we strive to meet every day at SGJC,” said Dean Jones. “Dean Emeritus Wickham and his team’s work exemplifies the dedication and professionalism we expect of our faculty and students. I’m incredibly proud of the Center’s achievements, and I thank President Wilson for his vision and his unwavering support of this endeavor.”
This isn’t Morgan’s first brush with Emmy success. The University was also recognized as a collaborative partner in a 2024 Emmy win. Morgan played an integral role in WJZ-TV’s “Black History Oratory 2023 Special,” which received the Emmy for Outstanding Public Affairs Program during the previous awards cycle. The oratory special featured prominent contributions from Morgan faculty, students and resources, exemplifying the University’s enduring commitment to educational excellence and cultural storytelling.
The collaborative Emmy win with WJZ-TV further highlights Morgan’s leadership in public engagement and Black cultural preservation. Morgan faculty served as judges, historical consultants and performance contributors, while students from Theatre Morgan and the University Choir participated in the production and final program. The University was also a lead sponsor of the annual event and showcase.
As Morgan continues to rise as a national center for innovation in journalism, media and communications, these prestigious Emmy honors affirm the University’s growing influence and creative contributions to the media landscape.
View the award-winning documentary online here.