The Television Academy Foundation, dedicated to preserving the legacy of television while educating those who will shape its future, today announced that Tina Perry, president of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, has been elected chair of the nonprofit, finishing out the 2024 term, effective immediately.
OWN president since 2019, Perry oversees the operational and creative areas of the network and OTT streaming, reporting to OWN Chairman and CEO Oprah Winfrey. Her leadership is a driving force behind the network's ongoing evolution to become the leading destination for Black audiences. Perry was instrumental in OWN's successful launch into scripted programming with popular drama series Queen Sugar, Cherish the Day, Greenleaf, The Haves and the Have Nots, the Peabody Award-winning David Makes Man, The Kings of Napa, and All Rise. She oversees the continuing success of the network's lineup of unscripted hits that includes the Love and Marriage franchise, Ready to Love, Speak Sis, Family or Fiancé, Black Love, and Put A Ring On It in addition to the Daytime Emmy-award winning Super Soul Sunday.
Perry joined the Foundation's board in 2020 and succeeds Cris Abrego and interim chair Jonathan Murray. Abrego was elected chair of the Television Academy beginning in 2024. "The Television Academy Foundation has dramatically elevated its programming in both knowledge and action regarding inclusiveness," said Perry. "A key goal going forward will be to increase engagement even further in Foundation activities such as its renowned oral history project and high-profile entertainment-leading internship programs."
"We are thrilled to have Tina elected chair of the Foundation," said Maury McIntyre, President and CEO of the Television Academy and Foundation. "With her experience facilitating inclusivity and extensive business and creative expertise, she is the perfect leader as we continue to expand opportunities for the next generation of media professionals."
A passionate advocate for the nuanced representation of Black women in media, Perry spearheaded OWN's collaboration with the Association of National Advertisers for their "SeeHer" campaign as well as the creation of OWN's Spotlight programming that tackles important issues affecting Black women today. She has also championed OWN's social good initiatives including its award-winning, get-out-the-vote and registration campaign "OWN Your Vote" and "OWN Your Health."
Perry serves on the OWN Board of Directors, The Paley Center for Media's Los Angeles Board of Governors, the Board of Directors of The Friends of the Saban Community Clinic, and the Board of the Hollywood Radio and Television Society.
Perry holds a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School, a Master of Science in comparative social policy from the University of Oxford and graduated with honors from Stanford University.
About the Television Academy Foundation
Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Television Academy Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of television while educating and inspiring those who will shape its future. Through renowned educational and outreach programs, such as The Interviews: An Oral History of Television Project, College Television Awards and Summit, Student Internship Program, and the Media Educators Conference, the Foundation seeks to widen the circle of voices our industry represents and to create more opportunity for television to reflect all of society. For more information on the Foundation, please visit TelevisionAcademy.com/Foundation.
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