Cambridge Community Television told members Friday that it has a new executive director after a year’s gap.
Shelley Wolfe, of Pennsylvania, is set to begin work in July, CCTV said. She has 27 years of experience in community television and has managed four community media facilities for a combined 13 independent channels, according to an online biography.
“Shelley is a nationally recognized media and experiential leader with nearly 30 years of experience in community media, education and nonprofit leadership,” according to an email from CCTV, an organization that provides tools and training in media technology and, at times, local news coverage for the city. It has offices and studios in Central Square.
Wolfe is now executive director at PSTV, an education channel for the school district of Philadelphia. With one of her students and mentees she co-founded Stories In My Backyard, a nonprofit dedicated to providing culturally relevant media education for Black youth. She is also chief executive of a firm called Toolbox, which advises educators and nonprofits on communications technology and strategies.
“At her core, Shelley is driven by a deep belief in equity, representation and the power of community storytelling. She’s excited to bring that same spirit to CCTV,” said a newsletter by the Cambridge organization.
In remarks in March centered around representation for women in media, Wolfe said, “Media is one of the most powerful tools for shaping narratives, and representation matters – not just in front of the camera but behind it, in the editing rooms, in the production studios and at the decision-making tables.”
Wolfe replaces Jessica Smyser, who left CCTV in May 2024 for a similar role in Brookline. The search for the permanent executive director began in late November.
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Shelley is a great choice. She’s been a colleague of mine in community media for years. Welcome to Cambridge Shelley!