WJCT Commemorates Black History Month
February 6, 2012
(Jacksonville, FL, February 6, 2012); During Black History Month, WJCT continues to present programs that profile the rich history, culture and contributions of African Americans. The schedule includes the 2012 Sundance Film Festival selection Slavery By Another Name and an American Masters profile of jazz legend Cab Calloway, along with a new WJCT production featuring community engagement surrounding a recently discovered cemetery at Kingsley Plantation. These and other programs are highlighted below. WJCT’s Black History Month programming is supported by CSX and CITI.
Blues Horizon presents the best of classic and modern blues for late-night listening. In honor of Black History Month, host Andrew Wiechman presents a series of specials, including original blues versions of popular rock songs (Feb. 6), and a Valentine’s special featuring dueling male and female blues (Feb. 12). (Mondays at 11 p.m. on 89.9 WJCT-FM)
Underground Railroad: The William Still Story presents the little-known story of William Still, a free black man who accepted delivery of “human cargo” on the Underground Railroad. (Feb. 6 at 10 p.m.on WJCT-TV 7.1)
American Masters – Freedom Riders tells the story of a courageous band of young civil rights activists who journeyed through the Deep South in 1961. (Feb. 7 at 8pm on WJCT-TV 7.1)
The Civil War. Ken Burns’s epic documentary brings to life America’s most destructive — and defining — conflict. (Feb. 12 from 1-8 p.m. and Feb. 19 from 12:30-5:30 p.m. on WJCT-TV 7.1)
Independent Lens – The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975. Combining startlingly fresh and candid 16mm footage that lay undiscovered for 30 years, this film provides a cinematic and musical journey into the black communities of America, 1967-1975. (Feb. 12 at 11:30 p.m. on WJCT-TV 7.1)
Slavery By Another Name. A Sundance Film Festival selection for 2012, this new documentary explores the little-known story of the post-Emancipation era and the Southern labor practices and laws that effectively created a new form of slavery that persisted well into the 20th century. (Feb. 13 at 9 p.m. on WJCT-TV 7.1)
Not in Our Town: Class Actions profiles students and community members who are creating change in the wake of racism, anti-Semitism, and the traumatic consequences of bullying. (Feb. 13 at 10:30 p.m. on WJCT-TV 7.1)
Frontline – The Interrupters follows a group of former gang leaders trying to “interrupt” shootings and protect their communities from the violence they once committed. (Feb.14 at 9 p.m. on WJCT-TV 7.1)
More Than a Month reveals why African American filmmaker Shukree Hassan Tilghman wants to end Black History Month. (Feb. 19 at 12 midnight on WJCT-TV 7.1)
Great Performances – Memphis. Winner of the 2010 Tony Award for Best New Musical, Memphis turns the radio dial back to the 1950s to tell the story of an interracial couple whose love for music, and each other, is put to the test. (Feb. 24 at 9 p.m. on WJCT-TV 7.1)
The Unforgettable Hampton Family explores how Deacon Clark Hampton, a son of slaves, lifted his twelve children out of poverty by making them into successful musicians. (Feb. 24 at 11:30 p.m. on WJCT-TV 7.1)
In Performance at the White House – Red, White and Blues. President and Mrs. Obama host an all-star celebration of blues music featuring blues greats and contemporary pop, rock and R&B stars. (Feb. 27 at 9 p.m. on WJCT-TV 7.1)
American Masters – Cab Calloway: Sketches explores the life of an exceptional figure in the history of jazz – popular singer, dancer and bandleader Cab Calloway. (Feb. 27 at 10 p.m. on WJCT-TV 7.1)
Kingsley Plantation: Days of Discovery (w.t.). This WJCT production showcases community engagement surrounding a recently discovered cemetery at Kingsley Plantation on Fort George Island, part of a slave cemetery dating back to the early 1800s, as well as the future of Kingsley Plantation. (Feb. 29 at 8 and 11 p.m. on WJCT-TV 7.1)
WJCT is the community-supported public broadcasting station for the First Coast. For more information about WJCT’s television and radio programming, visit WJCT Online at wjct.org.