Serving up a refreshing blend of culture and history, “Destination with Natalie Bencivenga” highlights the contributions of immigrants—past and present—in western Pennsylvania.
PITTSBURGH — WQED Multimedia and Benci Productions, an independent media company owned and operated by journalist Natalie Bencivenga, today announced Destination with Natalie Bencivenga, a new series devoted to highlighting immigrant communities and their contributions to Pittsburgh neighborhoods—both past and present. The six-part series will premiere in May on WQED-TV, channel 13.1, online at wqed.org/destination, as well as WQED’s YouTube channel, youtube.com/@WQED. Bloomfield and Beechview are the first two neighborhoods set to be featured.
Immigrant-owned local businesses, community leaders, and Pittsburghers from all walks of life will be featured on Destination with Natalie Bencivenga. Working through differences and celebrating diverse cultures is at the heart of building strong communities, and this new series uses conversations to build bridges between neighbors who may not have connected before.
“We’re excited to share our platforms with independent creators like Natalie,” said Jason Jedlinski, president and CEO of WQED Multimedia. “This new series reflects WQED’s commitment to create content together with our neighbors and reflect the diversity of our communities.”
Bencivenga, the award-winning host and executive producer behind the series, wanted to partner with WQED because of its longstanding commitment to enriching the Pittsburgh region through meaningful storytelling.
“In a time where our neighbors may feel isolated from one another, I felt like there was something missing from local media that encourages folks to celebrate their differences and make space for one another,” Bencivenga said. “Immigrants have brought so much to the Pittsburgh region, and because of their investments, we all thrive. I want people to have lively conversations with one another and share in what makes our hometown so special. And what better partner than WQED—the home of Mister Rogers, who was everyone’s favorite neighbor.”
In 1979, celebrating WQED’s 25th anniversary, Fred Rogers said: “Public television has a responsibility to reveal how we are different and what we have in common, to celebrate our diversity and our cooperation. It must continue to try to clarify the world not only by showing us what is, but also by creating a context for understanding. The dream of public television… is to help us speak to each other and learn from what we say and hear.”
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About WQED
WQED Multimedia champions our region by sharing stories and creating experiences that educate, entertain, and inspire our neighbors across Pittsburgh and western Pennsylvania. WQED’s mission is to showcase the stories and voices that make our communities unique, strengthening our connections to each other and deepening our pride in the place we call home.
Founded in 1953 as an experiment in educational community-supported television, WQED was a forerunner to PBS. Known as “The Voice of the Arts,” WQED provides a vital platform that amplifies our region’s vibrant and diverse cultural assets. WQED’s Education team works with dozens of partners to connect schools, libraries, families, and community organizations with trusted educational resources and opportunities for connection.
WQED Multimedia operates WQED-TV (PBS); WQED World; WQED Create; WQED Showcase; WQED PBS KIDS Channel; WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; the Pittsburgh Concert Channel; plus various streams, apps, and interactive experiences, including THE 412.
About Benci Productions
Benci Productions focuses on stories that center and uplift voices often marginalized or ignored by traditional media, while working toward bridging the gap between legacy media and independent creators and journalists through meaningful, digital-first projects. Benci Productions, LLC is owned and operated by Natalie Bencivenga, a socially conscious, award-winning journalist and media entrepreneur who uses her platforms to bring attention to issues that build equity in communities.