2023 Black History Month Programs from American Public Television

This February, APT is spotlighting new programs that celebrate the contributions of Black Americans in performing arts, forefronting civil rights, critical scholarship and more. From profiles on significant figures including Ida B. Wells, Josephine Baker and Marian Anderson, to highlighting literature on race and racism with Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., APT-distributed public television content recognizes both the challenges and triumphs made by Black people.

Explore Our Black History Month Programming

The 87th Annual Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards

The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, the only national juried prize recognizing literature that has contributed to our understanding of racism and human diversity, highlights the 2022 winners and their work. The program is hosted by acclaimed scholar, lecturer, social critic, writer, and editor Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Check local listings for broadcast dates/times. (Available on Passport as of Jan. 1 with its broadcast availability.)

Ida B. Wells: American Stories

There are few historical figures whose life and work speak to the current moment more than Ida B. Wells, the 19th-century crusading investigative journalist, civil rights leader, and passionate suffragist. The hour-long documentary, Ida B. Wells: American Stories, tells her story as never before. Check local listings for broadcast dates/times.  (Available on Passport as of Feb. 1 with its broadcast availability.)
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We Were Hyphy

"Hyphy" was a musical movement that emerged from the streets of Oakland, California in the '90s and encouraged kids to "go dumb"-- to stop thinking, have fun, and dance instead of get violent. We Were Hyphy explores this movement through interviews with the charismatic artists behind the music and also looks at the dances, fashions, and culture spawned by their genius. Check local listings for broadcast dates/times.
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Josephine Baker: The Story of An Awakening  

In Josephine Baker: The Story of An Awakening (2nd release), rare and unprecedented archives resolve the puzzle of Baker's fascinating 50-year-long career in entertainment. After leaving America to pursue her stage career, Baker made three trips "back home." Each time she experienced profound racism — her worldwide fame did not insulate her from suffering indignities and gradually the battle for civil rights became her own. Check local listings for broadcast dates/times. (Available on Passport as of Dec. 31 with its broadcast availability.)
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Marian Anderson: Once in A Hundred Years

Marian Anderson: Once in A Hundred Years (2nd release) traces the arc of opera performer Anderson's life and her struggles against racism and poverty. A celebrated contralto, Anderson played a vital role in the acceptance of African Americans in classical music and other segregated performing arts genres. Check local listings for broadcast dates/times. (Available on Passport as of Feb. 1 with its broadcast availability.)
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