Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters, Inc. (AIB Network)

A Vision to Unite People from ALL Communities

The AIB Network was born out of a determination to accommodate Atlanta’s ever-growing and diverse religious communities. In 1969, Rev. John H. Allen had the progressive idea to unite people from ALL communities and faiths to share their thoughts.

Although many considered this idea controversial, Rev. Allen joined forces with fellow clergymen Dr. Samuel W. Williams and Dr. Walter G. Cook to establish AIB. Rev. Allen’s vision to promote conversations between those of different faith, socioeconomic backgrounds, and cultures was up and running. He was AIB’s inaugural president and remained in that position until his death in 1999.

Focus on Community Service Programming

In the early years of the network and throughout the 1970s, AIB’s focus was on creating and distributing community service programs. Sound of Youth and Midnight Minister are among the hundreds of AIB’s programs produced and run on network affiliates and independent networks, including WSB-TV, WXIA-TV, WAGA-TV, WTBS, and radio stations, including WGST and WSB radio.

Introduction to Cable

In 1981, the AIB Network was granted a channel on Cable Atlanta, providing faith-based nonprofit organizations the opportunity to reach a larger audience. Starting with 20 hours a week and reaching 3,000 homes, the partnership with cable television allowed for rapid and sustained growth.

Throughout the 1980s, more and more cable companies were carrying AIB. By the end of the decade, AIB could be seen by cable viewers through the metro Atlanta area on 12 cable systems. The widened distribution and partnerships with faith-based organizations made AIB synonymous with quality faith-based and community programming in and around Atlanta.

Expansion and a New Studio

As the number of cable viewers grew, so did AIB. By the end of the 1990s, AIB was the largest interfaith broadcast network in the United States. Programming was available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Driven by production demand and new technology, AIB began construction on a new 1,600-square-foot studio. The state-of-the-art AIB production facility was completed and dedicated in 1999. AIB founder and President Rev. John H. Allen died the same year.

Growing the Vision

In 2000, after an extensive executive search by the Board of Directors, Collie Burnett, Jr. joined the AIB Network as President and Chief Executive Officer. Armed with over 25 years of telecommunication management experience and a proven sense of vision and purpose, Mr. Burnett embraced Rev. John Allen’s founding vision and began aggressively leading AIB into the future. Mr. Burnett invested in AIB’s programming and production capabilities to better meet our communities’ needs and growing expectations.

AIB Network’s community partnerships expanded to include the Carter Center and United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta. AIB provides these and other nonprofit organizations with over $1 million of in-kind services from production to broadcast time to generate awareness of their services to the community and to promote volunteerism.

In 2001, AIB hosted its first annual Allen Awards. Named after the founder, Rev. John H. Allen, these awards honor and recognize metro Atlanta programmers for broadcast excellence. Three years later, AIB was recognized with a Bronze Telly Award for the AIB original documentary “Printing the Dream: 75 Years of Atlanta Daily World.” The documentary profiled the first African-American newspaper in the United States.

Because of its historical value and quality, it is archived in the Chicago Museum of Broadcasting. Other industry recognition included an Emmy award for “World Pilgrims: A Sacred Journey to Turkey” (2008) and two Emmy nominations for AIB’s original series Sound of Youth (2006, 2009).

Serving Our Community

The AIB Network continued to produce nearly 200 hours of original programming each year, touching the mind, body, and spirit of our viewers.

Notable programs include

• “AIB Presents: Trail of Tears” (2013), which takes an in-depth look into the forced migration of Native Americans;
• “Making a Difference,” a series highlighting the nonprofit community and the impact and contributions these organizations make to improving our society; and,
• “Maynard Holbrook Jackson, Jr.: Reflections on His Legacy” (2018), a one-hour documentary revealing for the first time an intimate look at the public service of 3-term Atlanta mayor Maynard Jackson, Jr. This documentary was also screened at the Auburn Avenue Research Library and the Center for Civil and Human Rights.

Throughout the 2010s and into the present, AIB’s community support remains at the forefront of our service. Our partnership with the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists (AABJ), for example, not only facilitates the production of the long-running program “IN CONTACT,” an informative talk show that also serves as a training ground for young journalists, but AIB also rendered production services on their documentary film, “Black and Reporting: The Struggle Behind the Lens.”

Celebrating Our 50th Anniversary

In May 2019, AIB Network celebrated our 50th Anniversary by commemorating AIB’s commitment to “Connecting people for 50 years”. This program not only celebrated our 50 years of service to our community but recognized organizations dedicated to improving lives, valuing diversity, and challenging us to make a difference in the lives of others.

We were honored to recognize nonprofit organizations and their leaders making a daily difference. This gala event was hosted for the second year in a row by veteran TV anchor and journalist Monica Pearson and featured performances by Testimony and a tribute to outgoing AIB President and CEO Mr. Collie Burnett, Jr.

As we celebrated AIB’s history, we also turned to the future. The AIB Network’s Board of Directors officially announced Ms. Audrey Daniels as our President-Elect and AIB’s third President and CEO of AIB in over 50 years. Audrey Daniels previously served as Vice President of Operations at AIB and worked in the banking industry, where she first started her professional relationship with AIB as our official Banker.

Audrey Daniels started her term as President and CEO of AIB on January 1, 2020, and has helped us build and refine our branding strategy and reaffirm our commitment to provide our community with high-quality content to discover, create, and live their best lives.

Under Ms. Daniels’ leadership, AIB has increased content production for our digital platforms, touching global viewers with impactful programs on cross-cultural themes and crucial issues that affect them. We uplifted the voices of our non-profit partners and maintained our commitment to serve our community.

AIB Network continues to evolve as a platform where diverse communities, spiritual perspectives, and cultural narratives come together to inspire, educate, and connect.

Continuing its commitment to showcasing underrepresented voices and uplifting conversations around faith, ethics, wellness, and social justice. With an expanding digital presence, AIB is reaching beyond traditional television to meet viewers where they are — through streaming, on-demand content, and interactive community events. It’s no longer just a channel; it’s a movement for meaningful media.

Whether through intimate documentaries, interfaith dialogues, or programming that promotes mindfulness and unity, AIB Network is shaping a space where media becomes a tool for connection, compassion, and change — right now, when it’s needed most.