KOCE-TV production receives prestigious honor

Before there was Brown v. Board of Education, there was Mendez vs. Westminster.

Produced by Huntington Beach-based KOCE-TV, the documentary, “Mendez vs. Westminster: For All the Children,” recognized the importance of the 1946 court case which desegregated Orange County schools, paving the way for the Brown v. Board case eight years later.

The 27-minute film, produced in 2002, was recently placed in the Paley Center’s collection in New York City and Los Angeles. The honor was bestowed by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, as the Paley Center is known for its vast collection of media relating to the cultural and social significance of media.

“The recognition of this film brings honor to a long overlooked but important chapter of our nation’s history,” Mel Rogers, president and general manager of KOCE-TV, said in a news release. “Many people don’t realize that the civil rights movement wasn’t limited to the Deep South.

“We are grateful to Sandra Robbie for uncovering this important piece of Orange County history and are pleased that the film is now being recognized with this prestigious honor.”

— Jack Salisbury