Director LaToya Foster is a dynamic leader at the forefront of Washington, D.C.’s creative and entertainment sectors. As the Director of the award-winning DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME), Foster c
hampions the city’s thriving cultural landscape while advancing its creative economy. She also serves as the DC Film Commissioner, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping D.C.’s burgeoning film production industry.
In her role within the cabinet of Mayor Muriel Bowser, Foster leads the Creative Affairs Office (CAO) and the Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents 202Creates initiative, an impactful program that supports and empowers the District’s diverse creative communities across all eight wards. OCTFME under Foster’s leadership is home to the district’s key media assets, including DC Radio 96.3HD4, the first municipally managed radio station in the city, and a robust lineup of government cable access channels, including District Council Channel (DCC), District of Columbia Network (DCN), District Knowledge Network (DKN), and the 24-hour streaming platform, District of Columbia Entertainment Network (DCE).
With over two decades of experience in communications, Foster’s career spans television, radio, and media production. Before her tenure at OCTFME, she served as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Communications, where she led the media operations for the Bowser Administration and served as the chief spokesperson for the Mayor’s office, guiding communications strategies for nearly 100 District government agencies. Foster’s career in government communications also includes serving as the chief spokesperson for the late Mayor Marion S. Barry Jr., where she was instrumental in managing his communications and contributing to his award-winning autobiography.
A seasoned television and radio veteran, Foster’s media career includes executive producing and hosting several high-profile programs. As the host of "In The Know TV" on Washington’s ABC affiliate, WJLA, she interviewed major political figures, including President Barack Obama and President Joe Biden. She also created, produced, and hosted "This Is Your Moment", a talk show that aired on The Word Network, interviewing world-renowned figures in music, politics, and entertainment.
Foster’s career began in radio, where she developed and hosted programs for Radio One, the largest urban broadcasting company in the world, including the highly regarded “Live at Five”, “The Washington Insider”, and “The Power Block”. In 2017, she launched “Voice of the City” on DC Radio, helping to expand the station’s influence in the D.C. area. Foster has also shared her insights as a commentator on national platforms, including MSNBC, Fox News, BET, and TV One.
A recipient of multiple honors, including the 2023 President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2023 Spectrum Circle Innovation in Media Award, Foster is also deeply committed to social causes. In her spare time, she has devoted countless hours to mentoring youth, advocating for adoption and foster care awareness, and promoting civic engagement throughout the D.C. community.
With her blend of creative vision, communications expertise, and dedication to public service, LaToya Foster is a transformative leader shaping the future of Washington, D.C.'s entertainment and media industries.