Following the election of HBCU graduate Kamala Harris as the nation's first female vice president; the historic $577 million settlement for Maryland HBCUs after decades of funding unfairness within the state's higher education system; and extraordinary multi-billion dollar gifts to several HBCUs from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, awareness of historically Black colleges and universities is perhaps at an all-time high.
But there is still more work to do and many more stories to tell. Join MPT for the second annual presentation of HBCU Week. We hope you find our week of programming enlightening, informative, and inspiring.
February 22-26, 2022
Baltimore is home to the CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament! The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association is the nation's first African American athletic conference, and in recent years this week-long event has been ranked as the third-highest attended basketball tournament among all NCAA divisions.
DIRECT CONNECTION: One-Hour HBCU Special @ 7 PM
Jeff Salkin and WEAA-FM’s Dr. Karsonya “Kaye” Whitehead co-host a one-hour special that takes an in-depth look at the current state of HBCUs in the nation and in our region. Interviews with the region's six HBCU presidents reveal their plans for the future and feature their innovative new programs. Senior Correspondent Charles Robinson discusses the national implication of Maryland’s $577 M settlement with its four HBCUs because of its history of discriminatory funding practices.
Interviews include:
The one-hour special concludes with a focus on the arrival of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Basketball Tournament in Baltimore. The CIAA, featuring mostly HBCUs including member school Bowie State University, is one of the oldest athletic conferences in the country. Several of the Maryland area HBCUs (Morgan, Howard, UMES and Delaware State) were founding members of the Conference, although they are no longer members. Its legendary postseason basketball tournament is one of the most financially successful of all, producing upwards of 150,000 visitors and $50 million impact annually for host cities. Last year’s tournament was cancelled due to COVID but the tournament will remain in Baltimore through 2023.
Interviews include:
SHAW RISING @ 8 PM
MPT presents an encore of Shaw Rising, the tumultuous and inspiring story of Shaw University, the oldest historically Black college and university in the South and among the oldest in the nation. The film documents Shaw's story from its founding in 1865, its growth during Reconstruction, and the challenges of the Jim Crow system and the modern Civil Rights movement to its resurrection under the leadership of the late former Morgan State University Dean Dr. Talbert O. Shaw and to its fight to remain relevant today.
Resources for the Classroom: Reconstruction: America After the Civil War Learning Collection
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: FREEDOM RIDERS @ 9 PM
The powerful, harrowing and ultimately inspirational story of six months in 1961 that changed America forever. From May until November 1961, more than 400 Black and white Americans risked their lives — and many endured savage beatings and imprisonment — for simply traveling together on buses and trains as they journeyed through the Deep South. Deliberately violating Jim Crow laws in order to test and challenge a segregated interstate travel system, the Freedom Riders — comprised of many Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) activists from HBCUs, such as John Lewis — met with bitter racial divide and mob violence along the way, sorely testing their belief in nonviolent activism.
Resources for the Classroom: American Experience: Freedom Riders Learning Collection
THE MORGAN LACROSSE STORY @ 8 PM
Set against the racially turbulent 1970s, The Morgan Lacrosse Story chronicles the accomplishments of the Morgan Bears, the nation's first and only college lacrosse team at an historically Black institution. The film chronicles the accomplishments of an extraordinary group of young Black men and their intrepid leader who took the field in a predominantly white sport.
CONVERSATIONS FOR CHANGE @ 7 PM
AWAKENING: HBCU RECKONING AND REVIVAL
(ONLINE EVENT)
Join Maryland Public Television’s national conversation that focuses the contemporary view of historically Black colleges and universities through the eyes of the people who power them. Panelists discuss HBCUs as an important, vibrant, and active part of the Black American experience in politics, economics, culture, and industry.
Partners: HBCU Digest, WHUT-TV, WHUR-FM, The HBCU Channel (SiriusXM Satellite), WEAA 88.9-FM
AFRO BLUE: A Year in the Life @ 8 PM
Afro Blue, Howard University's premier vocal jazz ensemble, invites you to a behind-the-scenes look into what it's like to be a member of this dynamic group. Join these performers on their 2018-2019 musical journey, from auditions at the beginning of the school year to their focused and fun rehearsal process, to exciting performances at multiple venues, and concluding with a recording session.
THE MORGAN CHOIR: A Joyful Celebration @ 8:30 PM
This film captures one of the nation's most prestigious university choral ensembles, the Morgan Choir, and is a fitting salute to the late Dr. Nathan Carter, who led the choir for 34 years. Taped at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, this performance features a repertoire that ranges from classical to gospel. This presentation will include interviews with experts, supporters, and members of HBCU choirs.
AMERICAN EXPERIENCE: JUBILEE SINGERS: Sacrifice and Glory @ 10:30 PM
The is the story of a group of former slaves who were among the first to be educated at Fisk University, an HBCU in Tennessee, and who battled prejudice and oppression while using their talents to raise money and awareness for their institution. Eventually, they would perform for presidents and queens, tour the United States and Europe, and establish songs such as "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" and "This Little Light of Mine" in the lexicon of African-American a cappella music.
TELL THEM WE ARE RISING @ 12:30 PM
The rich history of America’s HBCUs began before the end of slavery, flourished in the 20th century, and profoundly influenced the course of the nation for more than 150 years — yet remains largely unknown. With Tell Them We Are Rising, a documentary from Stanley Nelson (Black Panthers, Freedom Riders) and Marco Williams, the powerful story of the rise, influence, and evolution of HBCUs comes to life.
Resources for the Classroom: Tell Them We Are Rising Learning Collection
AFRO BLUE: A Year in the Life @ 2:30 PM
Afro Blue, Howard University's premier vocal jazz ensemble, invites you to a behind-the-scenes look into what it's like to be a member of this dynamic group. Join these performers on their 2018-2019 musical journey, from auditions at the beginning of the school year to their focused and fun rehearsal process, to exciting performances at multiple venues, and concluding with a recording session.
THE MORGAN CHOIR: A Joyful Celebration @ 3 PM
This film captures one of the nation's most prestigious university choral ensembles, the Morgan Choir, and is a fitting salute to the late Dr. Nathan Carter, who led the choir for 34 years. Taped at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, this performance features a repertoire that ranges from classical to gospel. This presentation will include interviews with experts, supporters, and members of HBCU choirs.
SCREENING OF MUHAMMAD ALI @ 3PM (ONLINE EVENT)
Muhammad Ali brings to life one of the best-known and most indelible figures of the 20th century, a three-time heavyweight boxing champion who captivated millions of fans throughout the world with his mesmerizing combination of speed, grace, and power in the ring, and charm and playful boasting outside of it. Ali insisted on being himself unconditionally and became a global icon and inspiration to people everywhere.
Join us to preview part of the film and engage with panelists from Bowie State University.
