Pittsburgh Community Television

Three years ago I was invited to join the board of directors for PCTV and since that time have come to understand and appreciate the value that this organization provides to the local community of Pittsburgh. Because PCTV exists residents have a voice in the airways and can express their ideas and talents in ways that bring a diverse and educational viewing experience to the public. PCTV provides both the ways and the means for anyone who has a message they want to send to do so in a way they can afford. All it takes is time and dedication to putting together an ongoing show, a presentation or a public service announcement. If you don't know how that is OK. The staff at PCTV can help you learn through the various production and training programs they offer. I am proud to be associated with the station and commend both executive director John Patterson and all the staff for the excellent job they do every day to keep PCTV on the air with vibrant and diverse programs all can enjoy.

PCTV Has served the local community in many many ways. I love all the new changes and look forward to PCTV becoming the next local PBS. I took a couple of classes and they were taught by a Apple certified instructor. Look forward to producing my own show.

PCTV is located on the northside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I've been a producer there for approximately 5 years. A friend, Les Howard introduced me to the television 'stage' when I sat in for his vacationing co-host. It was a fun, variety show, I enjoyed it immensely and became 'addicted' from the very first show! The benefits and opportunities are unbelievable with such a venue! Being a community producer has afforded me the opportunity of meeting and interviewing many noteworthy people and artists. There is all aspects of video production and editing...valuable experience! With reference to community issues, there is no better way to reach an audience! I love being able to create and have my ideas manifested through video! What a BLAST this has been!

Hello, My name is Diane Johnson and I have been a community Producer with PCTV for about 8 years or more. My story is a little unique, I was introduced to PCTV by my mentor, Ms Joyce King many years ago who has now passed away. She had a show called "Everyday People" which focused on mental health issues and to stop the STIGMA surrounding it! Her objective was to prove that people with disabilities was not the illness and that they were "Everyday People" just like anyone else. So she invited people like myself, yes myself who eventually became a community producer, which she paid for, to appear on the show to showcase our talents. I started off producing shows "KALEIDOSCOPE" which featured my own group "The Unspeakables Lip Sync" group the only lip sync group in Pgh. I then went on traveling to different Karaoke lounges, filming there & in the studio, introducing the locals to Channel 21 to my surprise some people weren't aware the station existed or that they could become producers themselves. They were so excited to not only be on TV but thought it was so cool that there was something like this happening in our city. I then was nominated to sit on the board but unfortunately didn't make it but it was nice being nominated. Now I've been hired working in the mental health field as a Outreach & Education Coordinator, so I decided to use my training & get others trained too so I applied for a grant and changed the name of the show to "KALEIDOSCOPE"Forever Changing Lives and used the others who were trained too to finish what Ms King had started. Unfortunately, what I had met Ms King early on had turned for the worst in 2003 I became very ill and had to stop working and producing shows. In 2006 after being misdiagnosed after all those years, they found a tumor the size of an orange on my brain which has now been removed and my last appearance on PCTV was in 2007 in which the ACCR(Allegheny County Coalition for Recovery) found would be a good story to promote "Hope" to people in Recovery. For this reason I find it is important that Channel 21 stays right here, there has been many other shows that have been informative and I think it's a good learning tool for individuals who would like to do this as a career move, why should we have to leave our city or give money to other cities, there are to many of our youths leaving our city trying to find opportunities elsewhere, some don't return and some need I say more, let's just stop pushing people out and start trying to keep them in....... I would love to come back some day and finish what I started! Thank you for reading, Good Luck PCTV Staff & Volunteers & Supporters, Thank you for all your support & help over the years.......... Diane Johnson, Community Producer "KALEIDOSCOPE"

Everyone has a story.Not only was I able to tell in part what it was like for me growing up on the north side of Pittsburgh but also I was able to have others share their storys as well.WQED did their,"North Side Story"but they failed to include the storys I was able to bring to TV.The cry is loud in my neighborhood for more of that kind of programing.Thanks to pctv21 part 2 is on the way.I've been in the music business for 42 years playing drums for some of the biggest names in the business.I was able to share some of what it was like from my first record to performing before 17,000 at the Gund Arena.When I first came to pctv I did not know which button to push and whitch button not to push.Thanks to the staff I am able to edit and film in order to bring quality programming regarding the Pittsburgh community.Well I'm out of time but thanks for yours and remember to watch,"THE TIMMY WILLIS SHOW"every saturday night at 8:00pm.Your friendly producer,TIMMY WILLIS