This February, WPBS is pleased to present an extensive lineup of special programming to commemorate and celebrate African American achievement. With a wide range of powerful documentaries, including several brand-new specials, WPBS will showcase Black excellence, struggles and triumphs throughout the month.
On Tuesday, February 16th and Wednesday, February 17th, from 9:00-11:00 p.m. each evening, WPBS will premiere an intimate series, The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song, from executive producer, host and writer Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Featuring interviews from Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson and Bishop Michael Curry, this moving two-part series examines the role of the Church as the site of African American organizing, resilience, autonomy, freedom and solidarity, and uses song to highlight the beliefs and actions that drew African Americans from the violent margins of society to the front lines of change.
And on Monday, February 22, 10:00 p.m., audiences will travel back in time to 1968 with “Mr. Soul!,” a vibrant documentary from that chronicles the public television variety show “SOUL!” The film takes a close look at developer and host Ellis Haizlip and the show that celebrated all facets of Black culture and earned critical praise and public support as one of the first platforms to expand the image of African Americans on television.
In addition, WPBS will offer a wide range of new programming and returning programs during the month including: Charley Pride: I’m Just Me (Saturday, February 6th, 5:00 pm); John Lewis – Get in the Way (Sunday, February 7th, 2:00 pm); Going Back to T-Town (Monday, February 8th, 9:00 p.m.); Finding Your Roots: Write My Name in the Book of Life (Tuesday, February 16th, 8:00 p.m.); An Evening with Dionne Warwick (Saturday, February 20th, 10:00 p.m.) and Amen: Music of the Black Church (Monday, February 22nd, 9:00 p.m.)
On its website, PBS offers a collection of videos that delve into race and racism in the United States, to educate audiences, as part of its commitment to tell every part of the story. This curated playlist seeks to add historical context on race, to reveal the impact of racism on Black Americans, and to educate Americans on how inequality permeates through society.
For more information on programs and schedules, please visit wpbstv.org.
