This February, WPBS is pleased to present an extensive lineup of special programming to celebrate Black History Month. An abundance of both brand new and returning titles showcases Black excellence, struggles, and triumphs throughout the schedule. Highlights include:
Beyond the Baton: A Conductor’s Journey – Sunday, February 6th at 1:00 pm
Born to a single mother on welfare, Thomas Wilkins grew up to become one of the few remarkable African American conductors leading a major orchestra – the celebrated Omaha Symphony. This film documents Wilkins’ experience as a Black conductor and his larger impact on the musical world.
Fannie Lou Hamer’s America – Tuesday, February 22nd at 9:00 pm
Explore and celebrate the life of a fearless Mississippi sharecropper-turned-human-rights-activist and the injustices in America that made her work essential.
In Their Own Words: Chuck Berry – Tuesday, February 1st at 9:00 pm
Take a riveting ride on the Chuck Berry train, exploring the life of the man behind the music. By blending “hillbilly” music with R&B and writing impactful lyrics, Berry birthed a renaissance in popular music we now call rock and roll.
Canfield Roots – Thursdays at 7:30 pm
Exploring a rich vein of Black history in a rural area in southern Ontario leads to attempts by descendants to protect and restore an abandoned freedom seeker cemetery with a connection to Harriet Tubman.
Through the Banks of Red Cedar – Sunday, February 20th at 4:00 pm
In 1963 Michigan State Head Coach Duffy Daugherty gave 23 African American young men the opportunity of a lifetime. The daughter of Minnesota Vikings football legend Gene Washington deepens her connection to her father as she uncovers how the first fully integrated college football team in America changed the game forever.
American Masters: Marian Anderson – Tuesday, February 8th at 9:00 pm
Discover an international singer who captivated royalty in Europe and defied the conscience of 1939 America. Watch rare archival footage and hear audio recordings exploring her life and career from the Metropolitan Opera to the State Department.
Climate Change: Ade on the Frontline – Wednesdays at 10:00 pm
Ade Adeptian heads to the frontline of the battle against climate change. Climate change is happening now, and nowhere is that more evident than in Asia, the Pacific Islands, and in low-lying cities across the world.
Also, 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.
