Finding your Roots
Love and Basketball
Join Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. to uncover the surprising ancestral stories of 28 cultural trailblazers with fascinating histories. The series ends with an exploration of how science and history can inspire the next generation.
Tuesday, February 3, at 7:00 p.m.
PART 1
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History is a four-part series tracing the rich, complex relationship between Black and Jewish Americans — defined by solidarity and strained by division. Drawn together by racism and antisemitism, they forged civic and cultural bonds, especially during the civil rights era. The series explores both the challenges and enduring promise of that alliance.
Tuesday, February 3, at 8:00 p.m.
The Citizenship Project
First Black Statesmen: Tennessee's Self-Made Men
At the close of the Civil War, former slaves won freedom, but citizenship and the right to vote were still five years away. However, Tennessee would grant freedmen access to the ballot box three years before federal ratification of the 15th Amendment, opening the way for black men to vote and represent their community for the first time.
Friday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m.
PART 2
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History
Discover how Black and Jewish communities collaborated in the early 20th century on music, movies, and the universal fight against fascism, navigating tensions while shaping culture, confronting injustice, and leaving a lasting social impact.
Tuesday, February 10, at 8:00 p.m.
A Conversation with. . .
Dr. LaSimba Gray
Longtime Memphis pastor and civil rights advocate LaSimba Gray is also an avid golfer. His book, Out of Bounds: The History of African Americans and Golf in Memphis, delves into the local background of the sport, and recounts how golf played a crucial role in the desegregation of public amenities in the Mid-South. Joined by his good friend and fellow golfer Dr. Bill Adkins, Dr. Gray talks with host George Larrimore about history, character, and the fellowship of golf
Friday, February 13, at 7:30 p.m.
Becoming Frederick Douglass
Discover how a man born into slavery became one of the most influential voices for democracy in American history. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson explores the role Douglass played in securing the right to freedom for African Americans.
Monday, February 16, at 9:00 p.m.
WEDU Documentaries
Triumph: Tampa's Untold Chapter in the Civil Rights Movement
Set in 1960s Florida, this powerful documentary uncovers a hidden chapter of the Civil Rights Movement. A courageous group of Black high school students organized peaceful sit-ins at a downtown lunch counter, sparking a wave of change across the city. Their actions grew into a movement that opened restaurants, theaters, pools, and beaches to all.
Monday, February 16, at 10:00 p.m.
Finding your Roots
Family Harmonies
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of musicians Lizzo and Flea—traveling across the globe to find stories of the ancestors who inspired their work.
Tuesday, February 17, at 7:00 p.m.
PART 3
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History
Trace the 1960s “Grand Alliance” as Black and Jewish communities fought for civil rights, with activism, collaboration and tension testing their solidarity.
Tuesday, February 17, at 8:00 p.m.
PART 4
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History
Examine the shifting Black and Jewish relationship from the 1970s onward, including political gains, global tensions, rising hate and the enduring lessons of solidarity.
Tuesday, February 17, at 9:00 p.m.
Tide Turners
Featuring a host of local historians, community members, and descendants, Tide Turners tells the story of the United States Colored Troops at the Battle of Nashville like you've never seen it before.
Tuesday, February 17, at 10:00 p.m.
The Citizenship Project
Uprooted
At the close of the Civil War, former slaves won freedom, but citizenship and the right to vote were still five years away. However, Tennessee would grant freedmen access to the ballot box three years before federal ratification of the 15th Amendment, opening the way for black men to vote and represent their community for the first time.
Tuesday, February 17, at 10:30 p.m.
aMERICAN mASTERS
Sun Ra: Do the Impossible
Discover the extraordinary life of poet, philosopher and music visionary Sun Ra. With his ever-evolving collective, the Sun Ra Arkestra, he self-produced more than 200 albums, stretching the boundaries of jazz.
Friday, February 20, at 8:00 p.m.
King of Them All: The Story of King Records
"King of Them All" unfolds like a listening session with history. From James Brown’s soul to the Stanley Brothers’ bluegrass, King Records shaped genres that still echo today. Guided by voices like Seymour Stein, Vince Gill, and Christian McBride, the film restores a lost legacy.
Friday, February 20, at 9:30 p.m.
Independent Lens
The Inquisitor
A look at the life of Barbara Jordan, the Texas congresswoman whose powerful words and moral clarity changed U.S. politics. From Nixon’s impeachment hearings to civil rights battles, Jordan compelled the nation to ask hard questions and face the answers, all while dealing with struggles of her own in private.
Monday, February 21, at 9:00 p.m.
The Citizenship Project
First Black Statesmen: Tennessee's Self-Made Men
At the close of the Civil War, former slaves won freedom, but citizenship and the right to vote were still five years away. However, Tennessee would grant freedmen access to the ballot box three years before federal ratification of the 15th Amendment, opening the way for black men to vote and represent their community for the first time.
Monday, February 23, at 10:30 p.m.
Finding your Roots
Artistic Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. maps the roots of director Spike Lee and actor Kristin Chenoweth, meeting ancestors whose creativity built their families.
Tuesday, February 24, at 7:00 p.m.
Marathon
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History
Watch a marathon of all parts of Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History — a four-part series tracing the rich, complex relationship between Black and Jewish Americans — defined by solidarity and strained by division. Drawn together by racism and antisemitism, they forged civic and cultural bonds, especially during the civil rights era. The series explores both the challenges and enduring promise of that alliance.
Saturday, February 28, starting at 1:00 p.m.
60s and 70s Soul Celebration
The legends of 1960s and 1970s soul music perform their biggest hits; acts include The Temptations, James Brown, Patti LaBelle, The Chi-Lites, The Spinners, Sam Moore and more.
Saturday, February 28, at 7:00 p.m.
Slavery by Another Name explores the new forms of slavery after the Civil War.
Meet the woman who repeatedly risked her life and freedom to liberate others from slavery.
The little-known story of the deadly 1898 race massacre and coup d’etat in Wilmington, NC.
Discover music icon Roberta Flack’s rise to stardom and triumphs over racism and sexism.
Explore the life and legacy of the nation’s first African American Supreme Court justice.
The syncopated story of funk music, from its roots to the explosion of '70s urban funk and beyond.
Discover a time when Major League Baseball was born, but the color line divided the field.
Making Black America
Hour one details how African Americans have created spaces for survival, pleasure and joy.
Hour two explores the nation within a nation built by Black Americans out of necessity.
Hour three uncovers vast social networks created by Black Americans to defeat Jim Crow.
From Black Power to Black Twitter hour four reveals safe spaces created by Black America.
The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song
Host Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the roots of African American religion.
Discover how the Black church expanded to address social inequality.
Great Migrations: A People on the Move
Episode one of Great Migrations covers the first wave of the Great Migration (1910-1940).
Episode 2 of Great Migrations explores the second wave of the Great Migration (1940-1970).
Episode 3 of Great Migrations explores impact of Black Americans' reverse migration South.
Episode 4 of Great Migrations tells the story of African and Caribbean immigration to the U.S.
Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise
Black America Since MLK looks at the last five decades of African American history.
Black America Since MLK looks at the last five decades of African American history.
Jackie Robinson
Watch Part I of Jackie Robinson, directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon.
Watch Part II of Jackie Robinson, directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns and David McMahon.
Muhammad Ali
Cassius Clay rises from boastful amateur boxer to contender for the heavyweight title.
Muhammad Ali is banished from boxing for refusing induction into the Army.
Muhammad Ali returns from exile and twice faces his greatest rival, Joe Frazier.
Muhammad Ali shocks the world by defeating George Foreman and becomes world famous.
Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World
Discover the factors that led to the birth of Hip Hop and its first hit in 1982.
Explore the 1980s and the birth of Hip Hop as social commentary.
Experience the 1990s and the unstoppable rise in the popularity of Hip Hop.
From successful artists to changing history, follow the global evolution of Hip Hop.
Journeys of Black Mathematicians
Black mathematicians emerged from segregation and prejudice to leadership in education and research.
This episode traces the role of HBCUs and mentors in growing the community of Black mathematicians.
Africa's Great Civilizations
Uncover the origins of man and early human society in Africa with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. charts the rise and impact of Christianity and Islam across Africa.
Uncover complex trade networks & educational institutions in north and west Africa.
Explores the great African cities and their wealth and industry.
Explores the impact of the Atlantic world and the transatlantic slave trade.
Explore the dynamism of 19th century Africa and the "scramble” for its riches.
Reconstruction: America After the Civil War
The aftermath of the Civil War was bewildering, exhilarating . . . and terrifying.
Post-Civil War America was a new world.
Hour three of the series examines the years 1877-1896
Racist imagery saturated popular culture and Southern propaganda manipulated the story.