Black History Programming 2022

Austin PBS is celebrating Black History with insightful documentaries and discussions that examine both the struggles and successes within this diverse community. Tune in to Austin PBS this February to watch these stories.

Beyond the Canvas: Making the Moment Sit down with Black musicians who bridge story and sound. The musical ensemble Ranky Tanky, singer Rhiannon Giddens and others share their belief in the power of music to honor the past and inspire the future. Friday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m.

Muhammad Ali “Round One: The Greatest (1942-1964)" Boxer Cassius Clay rises up the amateur ranks to win gold at the 1960 Olympics. He turns professional, sharpening his boxing skills and honing his genius for self-promotion. In 1964, he upsets Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion. Friday, January 28 at 8 p.m.

In Their Own Words “Chuck Berry” 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. Tuesday, February 1 at 8 p.m.

Blackademics Television “Pandemic Edition” Talks focused on issues that have become even more pressing in communities of color due to COVID: healthcare disparity, medical equality, physician shortages, first responder trauma, health equity, and vaccine demography. Tuesday, February 1 at 10 p.m. and Sunday, February 6 at 1 p.m.

This Little Light of Mine: The Legacy of Fannie Lou Hamer A poor, Mississippi sharecropper escapes debilitating abuse to become an indomitable force against the political elite and a voice for millions fighting for the right to vote in 1964. Friday, February 4 at 7:30 p.m.

__Muhammad Ali “Round Two: What's My Name? (1964-1970)” __ Cassius Clay publicly joins the Nation of Islam and takes the name Muhammad Ali. When he refuses induction into the Army, he is stripped of his title and forced into exile. After three years, he returns to the ring, but he's lost a step. Friday, February 4 at 8 p.m.

Independent Lens “Owned: A Tale of Two Americas” Owned: A Tale of Two Americas weaves together the history of mid-century housing policy in America and the ramifications of the 2008 housing market collapse. In 2008, the U.S. housing market became the epicenter of an unprecedented global economic collapse. In the years since, protests in cities across the country have highlighted the stark racial disparities that define much of America. The crash of suburbia and urban unrest are not unrelated, the seeds of each germinated by the United States' post-war housing policy. Over time, racist policies have created subcultures in our built environments that are inherently vulnerable and makes clear our society can't continue to thrive in a segregated state. The stories of a retired New York City police officer, an eccentric Southern California realtor, and an ambitious real estate developer in Baltimore embody the promise of U.S. housing policies and the systematic oppression still plaguing many American cities. Ultimately, the communities created by the country's housing history may have more in common than they expect. Monday, February 7 at 10 p.m.

American Masters “Marian Anderson: The Whole World In Her Hands” 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. Tuesday, February 8 at 8 p.m.

Beyond The Baton: A Conductor's Journey 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. BEYOND THE BATON: A CONDUCTOR'S JOURNEY is an hour-long film that documents Wilkins' experience as a Black conductor and his larger impact on the musical world. Tuesday, February 8 at 10 p.m.

Irma: My Life In Music This is a 90-minute documentary about the “Soul Queen of New Orleans.” Although Irma Thomas didn’t experience the same kind of commercial success as her contemporaries, Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight, her impact on R&B music is just as great. The program features archival concert and interview footage culled from decades of performances filmed at The New Orleans Jazz Heritage Festival. Thursday, February 10 at 7 p.m.

*Bridge to Justice: The Life of Franklin H. Williams* Franklin Hall Williams was a visionary and trailblazer who devoted his life to the pursuit of civil rights - not through acrimony and violence and hatred, but through reason and example. Friday, February 11 at 7:30 p.m.

__Muhammad Ali “Round Three: The Rivalry (1970-1974)” __ Muhammad Ali battles his fiercest rival, Joe Frazier, and the U.S. government, as he attempts to regain the heavyweight title. He first loses to and then defeats Frazier, but to become champion again, he will have to beat George Foreman. Friday, February 11 at 8 p.m.

Through The Banks of the Red Cedar 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. Monday, February 14 at 9 p.m.

American Experience “The American Diplomat” Discover how three Black diplomats broke racial barriers at the US State Department during the Cold War. Asked to represent the best of American ideals abroad while facing discrimination at home, they left a lasting impact on the Foreign Service. Tuesday, February 15 at 8 p.m.

Frontline “American Reckoning” An unsolved 1960s murder reveals an untold story of the civil rights movement and Black resistance. With Retro Report, the film draws on rarely seen footage filmed more than 50 years ago in Natchez, MS, and follows one family's search for justice. Tuesday, February 15 at 9 p.m.

Just A Mortal Man - The Jerry Lawson Story A documentary about the founder and original lead singer of the legendary a cappella group The Persuasions. Thursday, February 17 at 7 p.m.

Signing Black In America This documentary highlights the history and development of Black American Sign Language, a vibrant dialect that today conveys an identity and sense of belonging that mirrors spoken language varieties of the African American hearing community. Friday, February 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Muhammad Ali “Round Four: The Spell Remains (1974-2016)” Muhammad Ali shocks the world by defeating George Foreman, winning back the heavyweight title and becoming the most famous man on earth. After retiring in 1981, he travels the world spreading his Islamic faith, and becomes a symbol of peace and hope. Friday, February 18 at 8 p.m.

From The Streets to the Stage: The Journey of Fredrick Davis Follow ballet dancer Frederick Davis' personal journey, which began with a broken family and homelessness. His exposure to dance at 11 changed his life - he found inspiration and support from Ballet Tennessee, his church family and a caring community. Monday, February 21 at 9 p.m.

Fannie Lou Hamer's America: An America Reframed Special Explore and celebrate the life of a fearless Mississippi sharecropper-turned-human-rights-activist and the injustices in America that made her work essential. Tuesday, February 22 at 8 p.m.

John Lewis - Get in the Way Follow the journey of civil rights hero, congressman and human rights champion John Lewis. At the Selma March, Lewis came face-to-face with club-wielding troopers and exemplified non-violence. Now 76, he is considered the conscience of Congress. Tuesday, February 22 at 9:30 p.m.

Stone of Hope: Moving The Dream Forward This documentary documents the first decade of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial on the National Mall in Washington D.C. Now the fifth most visited Memorial averaging 3-5 million visitors a year, the King Memorial uniquely serves the country as the only Memorial on the National Mall honoring an activist, a preacher, and a man of peace. Tuesday, February 22 at 10:30 p.m.