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PRESS RELEASE
Portia Bright Pittman Named PBS TV NC ROOTLE AMBASSADOR
Portia Bright Pittman Appointed PBS Rootle Ambassador for
Wake County
Award-Winning Author and Community Leader to Expand Access to Early Childhood Education Resources
Raleigh, NC — PBS North Carolina, the state’s premier educational media network, has proudly named Portia Bright Pittman, Legislative Assistant to Representative Sarah Crawford, as the PBS Rootle Ambassador for Wake County.
A tireless advocate for children and families, Pittman brings to the role a deep commitment to public service and education. She joins a select group of community leaders across the state working to ensure all families—especially those in underserved communities—have access to quality early childhood education tools through PBS North Carolina’s Rootle initiative.
“I’m incredibly proud to see Portia Bright Pittman named a PBS Rootle Ambassador for Wake County,” said Rep. Sarah Crawford, who represents Wake County in the North Carolina General Assembly. “Her dedication to education and community service reflects our office’s strong commitment to supporting early learning and empowering families across our region.”
Pittman is also an award-winning children’s author of "There Ought To Be A Law: A Bright Day At The State Capitol" whose work has earned the endorsement of two former North Carolina Governors for its effectiveness in civic education:
· Governor Jim Hunt, North Carolina’s “Education Governor,” called her work “a terrific message about how every citizen, especially young people, can make things better where they live. I strongly recommend this book to students in North Carolina and throughout America."
· Governor Beverly Perdue praised her book as “fact-based, fun to read, and full of accurate information. I strongly endorse it as a teaching tool to learn the basics of state government.”
Pittman brings that same passion for education and accessibility to her new role with PBS.
“I am honored to serve as the PBS Rootle Ambassador for Wake County,” said Portia Bright Pittman. “This opportunity allows me to blend my passion for education, public service, and community empowerment. I look forward to helping more families in Wake County discover the amazing free tools and resources Rootle offers to support early learning and growth.”
The PBS Rootle Ambassador Program, launched in 2021 and supported primarily by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, trains and empowers community members to share PBS NC’s rich library of early education resources. These include interactive programs, events, and bilingual materials designed to support children ages 2–8 through a whole-child learning approach.
“Our state is diverse, and each community is unique,” said Dr. Melissa Rihm Thibault, PBS NC’s Chief Education and Innovation Officer. “Rootle Ambassadors bring their knowledge, connections, and deeply held understanding to the role—ensuring that every child sees themselves reflected in their learning journey.”
Pittman joins the fourth cohort of ambassadors, as PBS North Carolina works toward placing an ambassador in every county statewide within five years.
For more information about the PBS Rootle Ambassador Program and to explore early learning resources, visit pbsnc.org/rootle.
PBS TV NORTH CAROLINA ROOTLE AMBASSADOR
Award-Winning Author and Community Leader to Expand Access to Early Childhood Education Resources
Raleigh, NC — PBS North Carolina, the state’s premier educational media network, has proudly named Portia Bright Pittman, Legislative Assistant to Representative Sarah Crawford, as the PBS Rootle Ambassador for Wake County.