BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Alabama Public Television is celebrating Black History Month with a closer look at the lives of Black Americans who have shaped Alabama and American culture and history through civil rights, arts, innovation, and Black excellence. Watch these premieres live on APT and stream our collection on the free PBS App.

Playing In February: Local

Alabama Public Television Presents : Toson: The Appointed

Alabama Public Television Presents

Toson: The Appointed

Gadsden artist Willie ``Toson`` Coleman shares his love of painting and his inspiration in new film.

Alabama Public Television Presents : BIg Mama Thornton: Alabama Kid

Alabama Public Television Presents

BIg Mama Thornton: Alabama Kid

A captivating documentary that delves into the extraordinary life and legacy of the legendary blues singer Willie Mae ``Big Mama`` Thornton.

Meet The Families Who Defied the KKK | PBS Short Docs
A Birmingham story detailing the history of over 50 bombings targeting Black-owned homes between 1947 and 1967.

Playing In February: National

Great Migrations: A People on The Move : Great Migrations Extended Trailer

Great Migrations: A People on The Move

Premieres Tuesday, Jan. 28 at 8 p.m. CT

Great Migrations Extended Trailer

This four-part series explores the transformative impact of Black migration on American culture and society. From the waves of Black Americans to the North—and back South—over the last century to the growing number of immigrants from Africa and the Caribbean today, movement is a defining feature of the Black experience.

AMERICAN MASTERS “The Disappearance of Miss Scott”
Premieres: Friday, Feb. 21, 8:30 p.m. CT
This feature documentary will spotlight Hazel Scott, the most famous jazz virtuoso of her time and the first African American to have her own television show.

VIRGINIA PUBLIC MEDIA “Finding Edna Lewis”
Premieres: Friday, Feb. 21, 10 p.m. CT

This new VPM docuseries explores the life and legacy of a renowned Black chef with award-winning food writer Deb Freeman and Emmy-winning producers.

INDEPENDENT LENS “Bike Vessel”
Premieres: Monday, Feb. 24, 9 p.m. CT
After his dad miraculously recovered from three open-heart surgeries and discovered cycling, filmmaker Eric D. Seals proposes an ambitious idea: Bike together from St. Louis to Chicago. 350 miles. 4 days.

AMERICAN EXPERIENCE  “Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP”
Season Premiere: Tuesday, Feb. 25, 8 p.m. CT 
Meet Walter White, the NAACP’s longtime leader and one of the most influential but least known figures in civil rights history.

American Masters : Roberta Flack

American Masters

Roberta Flack

Discover music icon Roberta Flack’s rise to stardom and triumphs over racism and sexism.

Hope in the Struggle, A Twin Cities PBS Original

HOPE IN THE STRUGGLE: The Josie Johnson Story
Airs: Monday, Feb. 10, 9 p.m. CT

A reflection on the life of freedom fighter and civic leader Dr. Josie Johnson, who fought for fair housing, education, and civil rights.

George Washington Carver An Uncommon Life thumb

George Washington Carver: An Uncommon Life
Airs: Friday, Feb. 7, 10 p.m. CT

While George Washington Carver’s rise from slavery to scientific accomplishment has inspired millions, time has reduced him to the man who did something with peanuts. This documentary uncovers Carver’s complexities and reveals the full impact of his life and workers.

PBS VOICES “Exploring the Revolutionary Legacy of Black River Baptisms”

Tank Ball discovers the origins, significance and lasting legacy of River Baptisms for the Black community, from the music of gospel legend Mahalia Jackson to the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. and beyond.

Alabama Public Television Documentaries

Alabama Public Television Documentaries : SHUTTLESWORTH

SHUTTLESWORTH

December 19, 2022

The story of the unknown Freedom Fighter who started a Movement that changed the world.

Alabama Public Television Documentaries : Mr. Dial Has Something to Say

Mr. Dial Has Something to Say

October 15, 2007

The art of Thornton Dial and the world that wasn't ready for it.

Alabama Public Television Documentaries : Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend

Quiltmakers of Gee's Bend

April 30, 2004

Quiltmakers from Gee's Bend, Alabama

PBS Digital Studios | In the Margins

In the Margins covers the history they didn’t teach in school, exploring obscure, yet captivating tales that offer unique insights into their time and place.

The Truth about Black Banks and the Racial Wealth Gap

Black-owned banks were going to close the racial wealth gap—so what happened?

Tuskegee: Where a Hospital Became a Battleground

This is the story of the hard-won battle to ensure an all-Black healthcare staff would serve America’s Black Veterans.

How did this rural town become a stop on the Chitlin’ Circuit?

How did Hobson City, Alabama—a small, rural town—survive 125 years and become a notable stop in the Chitlin’ Circuit?

MONOGRAPH

Monograph is a docu-series highlighting Alabama’s rich tapestry of creative works and artistic endeavors. The series embraces a multitude of disciplines and human identities, showcasing voices both inside and outside the traditional arts.

Monograph : Charles Smith

Charles Smith

Charles Smith is a potter from Mobile, AL with a lot to say. His large public sculptures tell the story of Alabama’s Gulf Coast going back centuries.

Monograph : Patricia Halsell Richardson

Patricia Halsell Richardson

Mobile's Patricia Halsell Richardson has been designing one of a kind gowns and trains for the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association for over 20 years.

Monograph : Roscoe Hall

Roscoe Hall

Literally raised in the shadow of Alabama BBQ institution, Dreamland, Roscoe Hall set out to travel the country and learn from the best chefs in the best restaurants – all while honing his artistic vision.

Monograph : Aaliyah Taylor

Aaliyah Taylor

Aaliyah Taylor brings a sense of empowerment and child-like wonder to her bold designs. With a mission to embolden and lift people up with her jewelry and clothing, Aaliyah wants people to know they are worth “taking up space,`` to be seen, and their voices to be heard.

Monograph : Black Warrior Lures

Black Warrior Lures

Black Warrior Lures is the project of fisherman, musician, and filmmaker, Damon Toney. His unique fishing style and quest for optimization leads him in some surprising directions, but always with a strong sense of tradition and place.

Monograph : Mary Frances Whitfield

Mary Frances Whitfield

One of Alabama’s most significant outsider artists, Mary Frances Whitfield paints stirring depictions of everyday life for 18th and 19th century African-Americans.

PBS KIDS!

The Lyla in the Loop family plus Stu

LYLA IN THE LOOP
Premieres: Monday, Feb. 3 on PBS KIDS
“The Artist Formerly Known as Liana / Jamaica Day”
Liana accidentally submits art that Stu made, and she feels guilty taking the credit for Stu’s work. / Lyla and Luke perform an “Anansi” folktale puppet show for a Jamaica Day celebration in the neighborhood.

XAVIER RIDDLE AND THE SECRET MUSEUM “I am Jackie Robinson”
Premieres: Tuesday, Feb. 18 on PBS KIDS
Jackie Robinson shows Xavier that when something isn’t right, it takes courage to change it.

Yellowhammer History Hunt

Yellowhammer History Hunt takes students grades 3 – 5 on a journey through Alabama’s past, exploring the places and people that define Alabama today. This digital series is aligned with Alabama State Department of Education standards for 4th graders learning about state history, but may also be useful for older and younger students. Each video in the series includes a selection of educational activities and resources to use in the classroom or at home found here.

Yellowhammer History Hunt : Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington

As a founder of the Tuskegee Institute, Washington emphasized practical education, the dignity of all labor, public service, and economic self-sufficiency for African Americans.

Yellowhammer History Hunt : Africatown

Africatown

Africatown, located in Mobile, Alabama, is a historic community founded by former enslaved Africans from the last slave ship to land in the U.S., the Clotilda.

Yellowhammer History Hunt : Rickwood Field

Rickwood Field

Rickwood Field, located in Birmingham, Alabama is the United States' oldest professional baseball stadium.

Yellowhammer History Hunt : Gee’s Bend Quilts & Michelle Obama's Dress

Gee’s Bend Quilts & Michelle Obama's Dress

In the remote area of Gee’s Bend, Alabama, descendants of enslaved people endured hardship and extreme poverty for generations.

Yellowhammer History Hunt : How Did Jesse Owens Beat Hitler?

How Did Jesse Owens Beat Hitler?

In 1936, Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Olympics in Germany and showed Hitler and the world that athletic skill, not race, makes winners.

Yellowhammer History Hunt : How Did the Peanut Help Save Alabama?

How Did the Peanut Help Save Alabama?

Dr. George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist and inventor who developed several methods to help with soil depletion. One method was to plant peanuts!

PBS LearningMedia

Each school year, Alabama Public Television produces one or more Learning Adventures. These webcasts are designed to be live streamed at specific, scheduled times, and feature interactivity.  Project C is a 7 part series designed for grades 6-12 that explores the American Civil Rights Movement.

Learning Adventures : Project C: The Children's March

Project C: The Children's March

This first episode explores Birmingham, Alabama as student reporters begin on a journey to discover how the civil rights movement of 1963 is still relevant today by visiting the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Bethel Baptist Church and more, to speak with experts. Congresswoman Terri Sewell and Ahmad Ward, Director of Education for the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, answer viewer questions.

Learning Adventures : Project C: Boycotts and Lawsuits

Project C: Boycotts and Lawsuits

In part two, our journey to discover the lessons from the American Civil Rights Movement continues. We check in on our community page and follow our student reporters as they visit the Southern Poverty Law Center and meet with activists from the 1960s to learn about how to take action against injustice. Activist Bishop Calvin Woods and civil rights attorney Doug Jones answer viewer questions.

Learning Adventures : Project C: Taking Action

Project C: Taking Action

In this episode of Project C, our student reporters conclude their journey of discovery by meeting with activists working on current issues of inequality and discrimination. Human rights activist Shelly Stewart and Immigration reform activist Arturo Burciaga answer questions submitted by students during the live event.