Press Releases

WCNY announces premiere of new locally produced television 13-part series, ‘Behind The Woman’

by Rouhollah Goudarzi

May 20, 2020

WCNY, Central New York’s community-owned public broadcaster, will premiere its new television series, “Behind The Woman” at 9 p.m. April 28 on WCNY-TV. This 13-part series shares the personal stories of diverse women leaders

across Central New York, in order to empower other women to pursue their goals and dreams.

“Behind The Woman” was originally produced by Dr. Juhanna Rogers as a web-series. WCNY, in partnership with Dr. Juhanna Rogers and Black Cub Productions has adapted “Behind The Woman” into a 13-part television series, which will air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. May–July on WCNY-TV. The series is sponsored by National Grid, VIP Structures, and M&T Bank.

Featured Women:

Lisa Alford

Alford is the Commissioner of the Onondaga County Department of Adult and Long-Term Care Services, the Vice-Chair of the Women’s Fund of Central New York, and a member of the Board of Directors at the American Heart Association and the OASIS Senior Education Program.

Maya Anthony Bentley

Anthony Bentley is an advance product quality planning engineer at Fairbanks Morse Engine. She graduated from the University of Kentucky, UK, with a degree in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering. She enjoys music, dance, and traveling.

Vanessa Campbell

Campbell is an experienced human resource professional, photographer, and actress. She engages with the community through photography and performances with the Harriet Tubman Troupe at the Auburn Public Theatre.

Latisia Hall-Cannon

Hall-Cannon is a Quality Assurance professional at Lockheed Martin, with more than 12 years of technical experience within the Biopharma industry. She is also the founder of UrbanTsyr, a one-stop connection site that bridges the community by providing visibility to events, services, activities and resources in Syracuse.

Jodi DeAugustine

DeAugustine is a finance expert who has served in international and local community banks and investment firms. She networks with professionals, businesses, and community groups to support their business growth, from start-up to legacy, in the downtown Syracuse market and surrounding communities.

Sharon Owens

Owens is the Syracuse Deputy Mayor. She was on her way to Wall Street when she graduated with a degree in economics from Syracuse University. However, a summer at the Dunbar Community Center changed the direction of her career. She fell in love with serving youth and the community and decided to stay in Syracuse. She dedicated 30 plus years of her life to improving youth, families, and the community.

Jennifer Sanders

Sanders is the morning news anchor at NewsChannel 9.  She is an Emmy-nominated global journalist and documentarian, who is passionate about empowering people through visual storytelling. Through her work as a filmmaker, she has produced award-winning content that has changed policies and community narratives and sparked nationwide conversation.

Cjala Surrat

Surrat is the public relations & marketing director at 3rd District Common Councilor Campaign. She has also served as the promotions coordinator at Lightwork, and the website content, social media, and public relations manager for the Islamic Society of CNY.

Shadia Tadros

Tadros is a first generation Syracusan and child of Arab immigrants. She grew up on the City’s South Side, graduated from Corcoran High School, and earned her law degree at Penn State. Through her practice and volunteer work, Tadros has worked with local private attorneys, government agency employees, church and mosque leaders, as well as local businesses to defend and promote equal access to the justice system.

Joann Yarrow

Yarrow is the director of Community Engagement and Education at Syracuse Stage. With more than 30 years of experience as a director and producer, her career spans from Broadway productions, to puppetry, television, and animation. At Syracuse Stage, she directs educational theater programs for students, such as special performances of main-stage plays, educational tours for elementary schools, in-class programs for middle schools, playwriting contests, and more.

About the Host, Dr. Juhanna Rogers

Juhanna Rogers, Ph.D. is a motivational speaker, commentator, artist, and education activist residing in Central New York. A native of Newark, NJ, Dr. Rogers earned her bachelor’s degree in Integrative Arts from Penn State University—Altoona, and her master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University. In 2007, she was selected as an alternate Fulbright Scholar based on her research in race and equity within international education. Dr. Rogers used her Fulbright proposal to create a study abroad program that has taken more than 100 students on trips abroad with Indiana University. In 2010, Dr. Rogers returned to Indiana University to pursue her doctorate in higher education. Her research focuses on critical race theory, racism in education, and the international experiences of Black students and scholars.

For viewing information, visit wcny.org/wheretowatch. To learn more about the show, visit wcny.org/behindthewoman. Each episode will be available on demand at wcny.org/behindthewoman.

About WCNY

WCNY was founded in 1965 as The Educational Television Council of Central New York. Today, it is a community-owned media company that produces content across multiple platforms, including television and radio programs, dynamic web and targeted email content, the WCNY CONNECT member magazine, and social media. Through online stream technology, WCNY has a global broadcast audience of viewers and listeners throughout the United States and 17 countries. WCNY operates five digital, pledge-free broadcast channels and three radio stations. Towers are located in Watertown and Utica, and WCNY’s radio programming extends into Canada. Classic FM is one of a few radio stations in the world dedicated to locally programmed music.

Educational services include workshops; a 10,000 square-foot building with dedicated Education Center; Read Out, a radio reading service for the visually impaired; Enterprise America for middle school students; and a media and marketing communications program for high school students.

WCNY is LEED® Platinum Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, the highest certification level achievable in Leadership, Energy & Environmental Design. Other achievements include “Business of the Year” in the nonprofit category in 2014 by CenterState CEO.