Morgan State University became the first historically Black university to capture an individual Emmy Award from the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
The milestone came June 21 at the 67th Capital Emmy Awards gala in Bethesda, Md., where the university’s original documentary “History of a National Treasure: The Documentary Story of Morgan State University” was honored in the Documentary/Historical category.
Produced by the university’s Center for New Media and Strategic Initiatives, the hour-long film traces Morgan State’s 158-year journey from a post-Civil War training school for Black ministers to Maryland’s pre-eminent public urban research university. Veteran journalist DeWayne Wickham, dean emeritus of Morgan’s School of Global Journalism and Communication, served as writer, director and producer, with narration by former CBS News correspondent Randall Pinkston.
“This historic Emmy win is a shining testament to the creative brilliance and scholarly excellence that define Morgan,” university president David K. Wilson said in a statement. It “reflects the power of our storytelling and the importance of preserving the untold stories of Black America.”
Industry observers say this win positions Morgan State as a rising production hub at a time when HBCUs are expanding their influence in film and television. While Morgan previously shared credit for a 2024 regional Emmy tied to a WJZ-TV “Black History Oratory” special, this year’s award is the institution’s first as sole producer, underscoring its capacity to create broadcast-quality content in-house.
Wickham launched the Center for New Media in 2022 to develop documentaries that spotlight the African-diaspora experience. “History of a National Treasure” follows the center’s debut film, “The Calvin Tyler Story,” and will be succeeded by works on trailblazing anthropologist Ellen Irene Diggs and Civil War hero Christian Fleetwood. All projects premiere on Maryland Public Television before wider distribution, providing students hands-on training in every production phase.
Dean Jackie Jones said the Emmy “reflects the standard of excellence we strive to meet every day at SGJC. 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.” The award team also included editor Ivery Johnson and several SGJC students who logged research and post-production hours.
The university is also raising funds to expand its studio space and to underwrite future documentaries that amplify overlooked voices in Black history.
