Emily Tells All: An interview program informing constituents of aid available, and encouraging community involvement and collaboration in Orange County

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Emily Tells All is an interview show developed by Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla with the goal of informing her constituents of the work done by local government and community organizations. During 2021, there was a need to share information regarding aid available in the central Florida region. The show premiered on June 3, 2021, and features new episodes weekly on YouTube and Roku. Each episode introduces guests sharing expertise and inspiration for everyday topics from education, environment, safety, to much more. The YouTube channel has 322 videos, 241 subscribers, and 15,512 views to date. Nine out of twenty interview guests and staff that responded to our surveys reported they noticed an increase in community engagement since their Emily Tells All interview aired, through an increase in followers on social media, volunteer interest, and communication with other organizations. An additional two guests, despite not noting an increase in community engagement, reported obtaining greater credibility and an ability to connect with other organizations as a result of being on the show. An average of viewers that responded to the survey strongly agreed to the statement: "I have learned about different ways to get involved with my community because of Emily Tells All."