February 21, 2024
In honor of Black History Month, TV and radio broadcasters across the nation are highlighting the history, culture, leaders, businesses and issues important to the Black community.
CBS-owned stations across the country are celebrating Black History Month throughout February with daily local news reporting on cultural community events, resources and celebrations in each community. Stories include CBS News Baltimore's 30-year Black History Month oratory contest, a new 30-minute Black history special as party of CBS News Colorado's year-round "Elevating Black Voices" series and a look at the Black surfers rewriting the sport's narratives from CBS Los Angeles. In addition, the CBS-owned stations have collaborated to produce an hour-long special, "Teaching Black History," launching Friday, Feb. 23. The documentary focuses on what communities across the country are doing to preserve history.
Nexstar Media Group's WSAV in Savannah, Ga., has been "Honoring Black History" every day this month with stories of their community's history, landmarks and leaders. James Franklin, the first Black chief of police for the Savannah-Chatham County Board of Education, told the station in an in-depth interview, "I hope the doors open for everybody to come in. But I enjoyed the trip, and that's the best way for me to put it."
iHeartMedia "examines the passion, perseverance and power of Black Culture" with a specially curated collection of podcast episodes. Among the many voices and stories highlighted, Fab 5 Freddy leads "a journey back to where it all started for the founding fathers of hip hop music" and the podcast Black Tech Green Money tells the story of A.G. Gaston to discuss Black entrepreneurship.
On the ABC network's "Good Morning America," host Michael Strahan spoke with a group of Black athletes about their experiences and struggles with mental health. The conversation highlighted the importance of "being free enough, confident enough, strong enough, supported enough to share how you truly feel to the world," he said. Only one in three Black Americans with mental health illnesses obtain treatment, GMA reported.
Scripps Local Media's KTNV ABC 13 in Las Vegas, Nev., interviewed attendees at the local 15th Annual Black History Month Festival. "We don't know a lot about our culture and our history, so I think this is a great event to learn and start," one attendee told the station. "I listened to a little poetry. I think this lady was doing music and poetry. It's very informative and helpful." ABC 13 also reported that Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) was in attendance. "This is about community and coming together for a celebration, which is so needed in a time like this," she said.
Audacy-owned News Radio 1080 KRLD in Dallas-Fort Worth brought White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre to its daily Ask The Expert on the topic "What is the importance of Black History Month?" She highlighted this year's theme, "African Americans and the Arts."
Hearst Televisions WYFF News 4 in Greenville, S.C., has been featuring a Black History "Fact of the Day" this month. Their coverage has included an interview with Greenville native and Oscar-nominated actress Danielle Brooks and profiles of groundbreaking Barbie designer Kitty Black Perkins and local business owner Karl Reed, who turned his martial arts background into a coaching business.
More than 2.47 million American jobs depend on broadcasting, and the local broadcast radio and television industry - and the businesses that depend on it - generate $1.17 trillion annually for the nation's economy.
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