WQED PRESENTS LOCAL AND NATIONAL STORIES TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 28, 2013
CONTACT:
George Hazimanolis
412-622-1366
ghazimanolis@wqed.org
WQED PRESENTS LOCAL AND NATIONAL STORIES
TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH
PITTSBURGH—In its 59 year history, WQED Pittsburgh has produced various local, state-wide and national specials in regard to the significance of the African American community. This February, WQED-TV will air some annual favorites and new national productions from PBS in celebration of Black History Month. For a full list of programs go to www.wqed.org/tv.
• The Black Kungfu Experience
Sunday, February 3rd at 3 p.m.
To meet the black pioneers and heroes who flourished at the connection of African American and Asian cultures, The Black Kungfu Experience traces the rise of black Kungfu in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s. With the introduction of this emerging cultural phenomenon all over the world, this show demonstrates how different the Chinese and African American experience has evolved and converged unexpectedly. This film focuses on how a group of African American pioneers became respected masters in a subculture dominated by Chinese and white men.
• The Abolitionists: American Experience
Sunday, February 3rd from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
In this series, American Experience tells the story of how Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison and their abolitionist allies pushed a despaired fringe movement against chattel slavery into a force that literally changed the nation. In order to restore this historical moment, which is the climax of the civil rights movement in American history, this series exposes many private details of the abolitionists that illustrate the procedure towards freedom.
• An Evening with Berry Gordy
Thursday, February 11th at 10 p.m.
An interview of Berry Gordy to review his celebrated life as an entrepreneur, songwriter, record producer, movie director and producer who had an indelible influence nationally and internationally. This interview by Gwen Ifill in front of a studio audience includes performances from Valerie Simpson, KEM, Redfoo and LMFAO.
• Underground Railroad: The William Still Story
Friday, February 15th at 10:30 p.m.
This program tells the story of William Still and his work on building the Underground Railroad and details the accounts of black abolitionists’ plight of walking on thin ice to help the fugitives follow the North Star to Canada.
• Independent Lens: The Powerbroker: Whitney Young’s Fight for Civil Rights
Monday, February 18th at 10 p.m.
This documentary traces Whitney M. Young’s journey from segregated Kentucky to the National Urban League. Whitney is a celebrated and controversial leader of the civil rights movement who took the fight directly to powerful white elites.
• American Masters: Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock and Roll
Friday, February 22nd at 9 p.m.
This show introduces Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s legendary life and how she became the inspiration of many black and white musicians by utilizing her passion for gospel music to create popular Rock n’ Roll music.
• Slavery by Another Name
Friday, February 22nd at 10 p.m.
After Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, the perception of slavery still dominated the South with new forms of involuntary servitude. Spanning eight decades, this program exposes the interlocking forces in both the South and the North using archival photographs and dramatic reenactments, filmed in Alabama and Georgia.
• The Evolution of the Nation of Islam
Sunday, February 24th at 6 p.m.
This documentary uses chronicle narrative to recreate the scenario of Elijah Muhammad’s Nation of Islam movement. By announcing the lost identity of black people, this movement advocates a do-for-self philosophy. With integrated dialogue with the original high-ranking member of the Nation of Islam, this show provides a deeper look on this remarkable journey.
WQED Multimedia presents these programs for Black History Month with support from Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, First Niagara and Pittsburgh Public Theater.
About Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield was created in the 1990's by the consolidation of two Pennsylvania licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association which now serves 49 of the state's 67 counties. With the mission that is to be the leading health and wellness company in the communities they serve and to ensure that all members of the community have access to affordable, Highmark dedicate their energy into quality health care with innovative products, programs and services they provide as well as through their community involvement. Highmark has consistently contributed charitably to organizations throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. More information about Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is available on www.highmarkbcbs.com.
About First Niagara is a Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured regional banking corporation headquartered in the Larkin Terminal Warehouse in Buffalo, New York. As a wholly owned subsidiary, with billions in assets and deposits, thousands of employees and hundreds of branches across four states, First Niagara Bank built a trusted name in helping our customers, our employees and our communities. With specialized expertise across every facet of today’s financial world, First Niagara Bank can help you thrive personally and professionally. More information about First Niagara Bank is available on www.firstniagara.com.
About Pittsburgh Public Theater is a contemporary theater in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District. With unique three-quarter thrust, it offers intimate, engaging, professional theater. By providing artistically experiences of the highest quality, Pittsburgh Public Theater has enhanced diversity theatrical performance through collaboration with famed directors, extraordinary actors and stunning production values, giving you a world class theater experience. More information about Pittsburgh Public Theater is available on www.ppt.org
About WQED Pittsburgh has a proud history of honors, including 134 National and Mid-Atlantic Emmy® Awards, an Academy Award, and many, many others, including two Emmy® Awards for Station Excellence. WQED was founded in 1954 as the nation’s first community-supported broadcaster. The people of WQED create, produce and distribute quality programs, products and services to engage, inform, educate and entertain the public within their community and around the world. It is the parent company of WQED-TV (PBS); WQED: The Neighborhood Channel; WQED: The Create Channel; WQED Showcase; Classical WQED-FM 89.3/Pittsburgh; Classical WQEJ-FM 89.7/Johnstown; the Pittsburgh Concert Channel at WQED-HD2 (89.3-2FM) and online at www.wqed.org/fm; local and national television and radio productions; WQED Interactive (www.wqed.org) and iQ: smartmedia, WQED’s Educational initiative (www.wqed.org/edu).
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