WATERTOWN, NY (February 5, 2024) – February is Black History Month and as part of WPBS’s continued commitment to showcasing diverse stories and storytellers and to growing new audiences across platforms, WPBS-TV will be airing a variety of great documentaries and performance specials throughout the month.
Celebrate Black History Month this year with a closer look at the lives of various Black Americans who have made indelible marks on history with their artistry, professional achievements, and community activism. The special programming in February includes:
Tuesday, February 6th
American Masters: How it Feels to Be Free (9:00 pm)
Explore the lives and trailblazing careers of iconic African American entertainers Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier, who changed American culture through their films, fashion, music and politics.
Friday, February 9th
GOSPEL Live! Presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (9:00 pm)
A concert celebration honoring the legacy of Gospel music in America. As a companion to GOSPEL, secular and gospel artists sing their favorite gospel classics.
Symphony Celebration: Blind Boys of Alabama with Dr. Henry Panion, III (10:00 pm)
This program, focusing on messages of humanity, peace and love, features the five-time Grammy-winning Blind Boys of Alabama with conductor Dr. Henry Panion, III, and a full symphony orchestra.Â
Sunday, February 11th
Alpha Kappa Alpha: A Legacy of Service (12:00 noon)
A documentary of the 115-year history of one of the nation’s oldest African American women’s organizations.
Amen: Music of the Black Church (1:00 pm)
Explore the authentic spiritual experience of African American gospel music in a one-hour performance documentary taped before a live audience at the Second Baptist Church congregation in Bloomington, Indiana.
Songs at the Center: Celebrating Black History (2:00 pm)
Talented African American Singer-Songwriters perform their own original compositions across a wide variety of styles, describe their creative processes and discuss the inevitable struggles they’ve overcome.
Pioneer: Reginal F. Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar Empire (3:00 pm)
The first African American to close an overseas billion dollar leveraged buyout deal.
Army Rising Up (3:30 pm)
Mississippi Delta high school students explore and document their communities’ connections to Civil Rights icons Emmett Till and Fannie Lou Hamer.
Monday, February 12th
GOSPEL: The Gospel Train/Golden Age of Gospel (9:00 pm)
Hour 1 follows the sonic influences of blues and jazz music. Hour 2 traces the Golden Age of Gospel from the Lord’s music to the mainstream.
Tuesday, February 13th
Finding Your Roots: The Brick Wall Falls (8:00 pm)
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. introduces actor Danielle Brooks and singer Dionne Warwick to their distant ancestors — breaking down the barriers imposed by slavery.Â
GOSPEL: Take the Message Everywhere/Gospel’s Second Century (9:00 pm)
In GOSPEL’s hour 3, gospel goes mainstream, taking the good news everywhere. Hour 4 explores how gospel and preaching achieved platinum-selling success.
Friday, February 16th
Niagara Movement: Early Battle for Civil Rights (9:00 pm)
The early battle between Black civil rights leaders over the path to secure equality.
Sunday, February 18th
Tulsa Race Massacre: 100 Years Later (12:00 noon)
Historical accounts of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 and the art of local creatives paints a full picture of Greenwood-from the past, present and aspirations of a thriving future.
Dream Whisperer (2:00 pm)
In the midst of segregation, the all-Black Tennessee A&I Tigers team from a small, historically Black college triumphed over intense adversity. 60 years later, their captain refused to let their forgotten legacy die.
Inspired Lives (3:00 pm)
In-depth conversations with FUBU founder, Godfather of Urban Fashion and Shark Tank investor Daymond John, and six-time Grammy Award-winner Dionne Warwick, a legendary recording artist.
Monday, February 19th
Canada Files: Michaelle Jean (7:30 pm)
The Right Honorable Michaelle Jean was a child immigrant from Haiti but rose through poverty and hardship to excel as a journalist and eventually become the first Black Governor General of Canada.
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