Biography
E. Samantha Cheng is an American producer, director, writer, documentarian, and journalist. She has devoted much of her career to raising the visibility of Asian Pacific Islander Americans, women in technology, and their contributions to United States history. Cheng is the president and co-founder of Heritage Series, LLC, which specializes in educational programs (print and video) about ethnic minorities in the United States. She owned and operated the multi-media company, “Television Production Services” (TPS), for 25 years. Programs developed under the Heritage Series umbrella include the compendium, Honor and Duty: the Chinese American Veterans (2020); documentary short Asian Pacific Islander American Service to Country (2017), documentary series Honor and Duty: The Mississippi Delta Chinese (2016), documentary short Our Time is Now: AAPI Influence (2016), documentary short Dalip Singh Saund: His Life, Legacy (2014), APA Legacy Public Service Campaigns (2013-present), documentary short Norman Y. Mineta: A Boy from San Jose (2010) and the ongoing oral history series Asian Pacific American Members of Congress History project (2010).
Ms. Cheng’s broadcast and media production spans over forty years. She has worked extensively both in the United States and throughout the world. Prior to establishing TPS in 1992, Ms. Cheng’s broadcast credits include: World News Tonight, Weekend News, This Week with David Brinkley, Nightline, ABC News Special Events; MLK: Dream Today, PBS Special; The Making of a Holiday, PBS Special; Healthy Indulgences with Lynn Fischer, Maryland Public Broadcasting; World Class Cuisine, Discovery Channel; Low Cholesterol Gourmet, Discovery Channel; and Spa Getaways, Travel Channel. Ms. Cheng is a citizen of the United States and received her formal education from the New York City public school system.
Ms. Cheng serves as a member of the board on several humanitarian and civic, non-profit organizations. She was an aide to Vernon Jordan, Transition Team Chair 1992-1993 Clinton Administration, a Public Information Officer Reservist for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from 1993-2000; and national press secretary for Women Running PAC in 1984.
Honors and Awards
• 2020 Terres Travel Festival – Ethnography and Society
• 2017 SF / Northern CA EMMY Award – Public Service Campaign
• 2016 TIVA Gold Award – Public Service Campaign
• 2016 SF / Northern CA EMMY Award Finalist – Public Service Campaign
• 2016 TELLY Bronze Award – Public Service Campaign
• 2015 TIVA Gold Award – Public Service Campaign
• 2013 TIVA Peer Awards – Public Service Campaign & Interstitials
• 2004 AAJA Special Recognition Award
• 2003 Gold Aurora Award
• 2002 DVDA Technical Excellence Award
• 2002 DVDA Creative Excellence Award
• 1998 National EMMY Award Finalist Public Service Campaign
• 1987 National Capital Area EMMY Award Finalist Public Service Campaign
Articles, Publications, and Appearances
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkn_YrEbtMM
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=380467079863539
https://aaari.info/author/e-samantha-cheng
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm12996320/
https://www.c-span.org/person/?128928/SamanthaCheng
https://backstagepasswithliachang.wordpress.com/tag/e-samantha-cheng