Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant has realized her childhood dream of hosting a nature show. The wildlife ecologist and research fellow with the National Geographic Society is the new co-host of NBC’s revamped classic, “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom: Protecting the Wild.”
In this groundbreaking role, Wynn-Grant becomes the first Black woman in U.S. history to host a wildlife program on broadcast television. Her passion for the natural world blossomed in childhood while growing up in urban environments and voraciously watching educational nature documentaries.
“Wild Kingdom was one of the shows that I used to watch. I was kind of obsessed with the experience that the hosts were having,” she recalled.
Overcoming Barriers in Environmental Science
However, as a young Black woman studying environmental science, Wynn-Grant often felt isolated.
“As far as I knew, I was the only Black student in environmental science,” at Emory University, she said. Most of her white peers were inspired by family camping trips, while she learned about nature from textbooks.
A study abroad experience empowered Wynn-Grant to push forward despite self-doubts. She realized that while hosting a show remained her dream, wildlife conservation was a way to tangibly protect the planet.
Making History on a Classic Show
Landing the co-host role on the rebooted Wild Kingdom is profoundly meaningful for Wynn-Grant. “I think race and identity is a really important part of the conversation here,” she affirmed.
While the original series only featured white male hosts over its long run, she believes her identity as a Black woman millennial-focused on social justice “symbolizes a lot of progress.” The show has also committed to showcasing diverse wildlife stories from across America.
Inspiring Future Generations
As the new public face of this beloved franchise, Wynn-Grant feels a responsibility to inspire viewers just as she was inspired growing up. “I hope that more young people, adults, everyone can be even more inspired by watching now,” she said.
In the end, a genuine lifelong calling led Wynn-Grant to this historic moment. Her passion for nature and drive to increase representation fuels her work to reshape narratives in wildlife television.
