This February, join WSBE Rhode Island PBS in honoring Black History Month with programs that advocate for reflection, justice, change, and solidarity throughout all sectors of America. Be on the lookout for these documentaries and musical experiences airing this month.
Dreams of Hope – February 3 at noon, February 10 at 9 p.m., February 24 at noon
Celebrate the resilience of those who have faced hate, discrimination, and racism with Dreams of Hope. The documentary tells the story of a historic concert at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham – the church where a hate crime killed four African American girls more than 50 years ago. Conducted by Dr. Henry Panion III, the concert features violins restored from Holocaust concentration camps to serve as symbols of hope.
Voices for Freedom: The Hyers Sisters’ Legacy – February 3 at 2:30 p.m., February 14 at 10:30 p.m., February 16 at 1:30 p.m.
Hosted by opera superstar Denyce Graves, Voices for Freedom: The Hyers Sisters’ Legacy chronicles the lives of Sacramento’s Hyers Sisters – African American opera prodigies who toured the nation from 1871 to 1894. When touring blackface minstrels began to denigrate African Americans in 1876, the sisters became “voices” for the dignity of their people. Through beloved music-dramatic works (now called the first American musicals), they depicted Black life to their mainstream audiences, changing many minds and hearts.
Black in Blue – February 3 at 9 p.m.
Hear the story of Nate Northington, Greg Page, Wilbur Hackett, and Houston Hogg – four African American players at the University of Kentucky who broke the color line in the Southeastern Conference in the 1960s. Enduring racism and hardship throughout their experience, the players’ courage and bonds of team loyalty opened the door to SEC for African American athletes.
Black Ballerina – February 7 at 10 p.m., February 10 at noon
Black Ballerina tells the story of several Black women from different generations who fell in love with ballet. While pursuing their dreams sixty years ago, Joan Myers Brown, Delores Browne, and Raven Wilkinson confronted racism, exclusion, and unequal opportunity in segregated mid-century America. Today, young dancers continue to experience the obstacles their predecessors faced as they try to break into the overwhelmingly white world of ballet. Moving amongst different timelines, this one-hour documentary stimulates a fresh discussion about race, inclusion, and opportunity across all sectors of American society.
Just a Mortal Man: The Jerry Lawson Story – February 14 at 9 p.m., February 17 at noon
Commemorate the late singer Jerry Lawson with Just a Mortal Man: The Jerry Lawson Story. Known as the founder and the original lead singer of The Persuasions, this feature-length documentary celebrates Lawson’s talent and extensive career after 40 years and more than 20 albums with the legendary acapella group that started it all.
Beyond the Baton: A Conductor's Journey –February 15 at 1 p.m.
In Beyond the Baton: A Conductor's Journey, meet Thomas Wilkins. Born to a single mother on welfare, Wilkins grew up to become one of the few remarkable African American conductors leading a major orchestra — the celebrated Omaha Symphony. This hour-long film documents Wilkins' experience as a Black conductor and his larger impact on the musical world.
Legacy of Love – February 16 at 1 p.m.
In this half-hour documentary, discover the mostly unknown story of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott's formative years. Meeting as students in Boston in the 1950s, the two fell in love, overcame the odds, and began on the road to becoming worldwide leaders, activists, and iconic symbols for the civil rights of people all over the world.
Finding Fellowship – February 17 at 9 p.m.
Finding Fellowship tells the story of three racially-segregated Methodist churches in Quince Orchard, Maryland, that had fallen on hard financial times. In 1968, as members of the three churches debated the consequences of merging, news of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination broke. Ultimately inspired by what the activist stood for, the churches decided to become one, resulting in a changed community.
Through the Banks of the Red Cedar – February 21 at 9 p.m. and February 22 at 1 p.m.
Through the Banks of the Red Cedar follows the 50-year legacy of legendary Viking’s wide receiver Gene Washington from the segregated south to Michigan State University, where he and his teammates – Bubba Smith, George Webster, and Clinton Jones – became members of the first fully-integrated football team in the 1960s. Unfolding through the eyes of Maya Washington, Gene Washington’s youngest daughter, the documentary uncovers Gene's journey and his impact on the present generation.
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits high-definition (HD) programming over the air on digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36. Live stream the full schedule within the broadcast viewing area at watch.ripbs.org/livestream.
