Funding Supports Production and Educational Engagement Activities for New Animated Series Created by Sonia Manzano on PBS Kids

Pittsburgh, PA, —  Fred Rogers Productions, the award-winning children’s entertainment company behind the well-loved, Emm®-winning PBS KIDS series Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad, Peg + Cat and new hit Donkey Hodie, has been awarded a $2.7 million multi-year funding grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) for Alma’s Way, which launched October 4 on PBS KIDS. The grant covers a broad range of production, promotional, and educational engagement activities for the show, created by actor/writer Sonia Manzano.

Aimed at viewers ages 4-6, Alma’s Way follows 6-year-old Alma Rivera, a proud, confident Puerto Rican girl, who lives in the Bronx with her parents, Abuelo, and younger brother, Junior, as well as a diverse group of close-knit and loving friends, family, and community members. Each episode models self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and empathy, while encouraging kids to generate and value their own ideas and questions. The series’ 40 half-hour episodes showcase different aspects of Latino culture through music, food, language, and more.

“CPB’s support has been instrumental in bringing Alma’s Way to viewers all across the country,” said Paul Siefken, President and CEO, Fred Rogers Productions. “The series is already deeply resonating with audiences as it helps young viewers to develop critical thinking skills and an understanding of perspectives of others all while they experience the vibrant world of the Bronx.”

“Fred Rogers was a pioneer in using public television to educate young children and help empower them to solve problems. Alma’s Way honors Fred’s legacy of inclusiveness by featuring diversity at all levels of production and is a wonderful continuation of his work,” said Debra Sanchez, CPB Senior Vice President of Education and Children’s Content. “We’re excited to support this work from Sonia Manzano, another pioneer who has played such an important role in the history of children’s content on public media.”

 Alma’s Way is created by Sonia Manzano, best known to generations of kids and families as “Maria” on Sesame Street, and produced by Fred Rogers Productions. Ellen Doherty and Manzano are executive producers. Jorge Aguirre (Goldie & Bear) is head writer. The series is animated by Pipeline Studios (Elinor Wonders Why).