Press Releases

WCNY to host three virtual screening events Oct. 7, 21

by Rouhollah Goudarzi

September 17, 2020

WCNY, Central New York’s community-owned flagship public broadcaster, will host three virtual screenings and discussion events in October on Zoom and OVEE. The events are free and open to the public.

Driving While Black Screening and Discussion 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 7 Register at wcny.org/events

Explore the role of the automobile in the lives of African Americans in the early 20th century with the new PBS documentary based on a decade of research by acclaimed African American historian, Dr. Gretchen Sorin. The film draws on a rich archive of materials, including photographs, advertisements, road signs, maps, letters, legal records, and personal insights from scholars, writers, musicians, artists, religious leaders and ordinary American travelers. A live Q&A with keynote speakers, Ric Burns, Dr. Sorin, and Dr. Grant Reeher follows. Burns is an internationally-acclaimed documentary filmmaker and write, who has been writing, producing, and directing historical documentaries for more than 25 years, since his collaboration on the PBS series, “The Civil War,” with his brother, Ken Burns. Dr. Sorin is the author of the book “Driving While Black” and Distinguished Professor and Director of the Cooperstown Graduate Program.

Dr. Reeher is the Director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute and Professor of Political Science at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. The event is made possible by presenting sponsor, Northwestern Mutual, and supporting sponsor, The Cazenovia Forum. “Not Done: Women Remaking America” Screening and Discussion 4:30 to 6 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21 RSVP at wcny.org/events

WCNY and Oasis, present a preview of the new PBS documentary, “Not Done: Women Remaking America.” The event is made possible with support from Geddes Federal Savings. Join filmmakers as they follow the last five years of the women’s movement and its intersectional fight for equality, featuring key activists, journalists, entertainers, athletes, and politicians from the frontlines of the feminist tidal wave. A live Q&A with keynote speaker, Dr. Stina Soderling, and moderator, Dr. Juhanna Rogers follows. Soderling is a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Women’s and Gender Studies Department at Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. Dr. Rogers is the host of WCNY’s locally produced series, “Behind the Woman,” as well as a motivational speaker and education activist.

A Community Conversation with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi: Virtual Event 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 21 RSVP at foclsyracuse.org The Friends of the Central Library, in partnership with the Syracuse University Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Hendricks Chapel, and the Lender Center for Social Justice, present, “A Community Conversation with Dr. Ibram X. Kendi,” sponsored by The Central New York Community Foundation, The Gifford Foundation, and WCNY. The event will feature a lecture from Dr. Ibram X. Kendi on antiracism and critical social issues that affect us all, followed by a Q&A with moderator Angela Douglas. Donations are encouraged in support of the library. Dr. Ibram X. Kendi is one of America’s foremost historians and leading antiracist voices. He is a National Book Award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author and is currently the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities and the Founding Director of the Boston University Center for Antiracist Research. Kendi is a contributor writer at The Atlantic and a CBS News correspondent. He is also the 2020-2021 Frances B. Cashin Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for the Advanced Study at Harvard University.

About WCNY

WCNY was founded in 1965 as The Educational Television Council of Central New York. Today, it is a community owned media company that produces content across multiple platforms, including television and radio programs, dynamic web and targeted email content, the WCNY CONNECT member magazine, and social media. Through online stream technology, WCNY has a global broadcast audience of viewers and listeners throughout the United States and 17 countries. WCNY operates five digital, pledge-free broadcast channels and three radio stations. Towers are located in Watertown and Utica, and WCNY’s radio programming extends into Canada. Classic FM is one of a few radio stations in the world dedicated to locally programmed music. Educational services include the TV Classroom network; workshops; a 10,000 square-foot building with dedicated Education Center; Read Out, a radio reading service for the visually impaired; Enterprise America for middle school students; and a media and marketing communications program for high school students. WCNY is LEED® Platinum Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council, the highest certification level achievable in Leadership, Energy & Environmental Design. Other achievements include “Business of the Year” in the nonprofit category in 2014 by CenterState CEO.