In honor of this special month, WCNY celebrates the lives of Black Americans who have made lasting contributions to history through their artistry, professional achievements, and community activism.
Join us throughout the month for special programming that highlights the powerful stories and inspiring accomplishments of Black Americans who have helped shape American history and culture.
Explore our curated lineup of upcoming programs on WCNY-TV and Classic FM, along with exclusive streaming features and activities from PBS KIDS and PBS LearningMedia.
Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom
Watch Monday, Feb. 2 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Go beyond the legend and meet the inspiring woman who repeatedly risked her own life and freedom to liberate others from slavery. Born 200 years ago in Maryland, Harriet Tubman was a conductor of the Underground Railroad, a Civil War scout, nurse and spy, and one of the greatest freedom fighters in our nation’s history.
Watch Tuesday, Feb. 3, 17, & 24 at 8 p.m. on WCNY-TV
“Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.” returns for Season 12 on PBS, exploring the family trees of twenty guests through DNA and genealogy. From Africa to India, the Cherokee Nation to Texas, the series uncovers stories of resilience, love, and sacrifice, revealing how diverse histories intertwine to shape America’s shared identity.
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History
Watch Tuesday, Feb. 3, 10, 17 & 24 at 9 p.m. on WCNY-TV
“Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History” is a four-part series tracing the rich, complex relationship between Black and Jewish Americans — defined by solidarity and strained by division. Drawn together by racism and antisemitism, they forged civic and cultural bonds, especially during the civil rights era. The series explores both the challenges and enduring promise of that alliance.
American Experience: American Coup—Wilmington 1898
Watch Saturday, Feb. 7 at 8 p.m. on WCNY-TV
“American Coup: Wilmington 1898” tells the little-known story of a deadly race massacre and carefully orchestrated insurrection in North Carolina’s largest city in 1898. Stoking fears of “Negro Rule,” self-described white supremacists used intimidation and violence to destroy Black political and economic power and overthrow Wilmington’s democratically-elected, multi-racial government.
In Their Own Words: Chuck Berry
Watch Saturday, Feb. 7 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Take a riveting ride on the Chuck Berry train exploring the life, the legend, the music, and the man who is regularly credited as the father of rock and roll. We will meet the family who loved him, the players who were there for the rise, and the stars who bow to his inspiration and credit him for their own success.
Watch Saturday, Feb. 14 at 8:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV
“The Route to Emancipation” by Black History Bike Ride follows three friends as they embark on a 350-mile cycling route from the Texas Capitol in Austin to the site where Juneteenth began in 1865. The journey takes viewers back through centuries of Black history in Texas.
American Masters: Sun Ra—Do the Impossible
Watch Friday, Feb. 20 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Discover the extraordinary life of poet, philosopher and music visionary Sun Ra. With his ever-evolving collective, the Sun Ra Arkestra, he self-produced more than 200 albums, stretching the boundaries of jazz.
Independent Lens: The Inquisitor
Watch Monday, Feb. 23 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Explore the life and legacy of Barbara Jordan in The Inquisitor. Jordan was a groundbreaking Texas congresswoman whose sharp intellect and moral clarity transformed U.S. politics. From Nixon’s impeachment to civil rights battles, her voice demanded accountability, while she privately faced struggles few ever knew of.
King of Them All: The Story of King Records
Watch Thursday, Feb. 26 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV
“King of Them All” unfolds like a listening session with history. From James Brown’s soul to the Stanley Brothers’ bluegrass, King Records shaped genres that still echo today. Guided by voices like Seymour Stein, Vince Gill, and Christian McBride, the film restores a lost legacy.
American Masters: James Baldwin—The Price of the Ticket
Watch Saturday, Feb. 28 at 8:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Using rarely-seen archival footage from nine different countries, the film melds intimate interviews and eloquent public speeches with cinéma vérité glimpses of Baldwin and original scenes from his extraordinary funeral service in December 1987.
33 Black Frog: An American Story
Watch Saturday, Feb. 28 at 8:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV
“33 Black Frog: An American Story” is a powerful documentary about Chief Petty Officer Eddie L. Ferguson, one of the first African American Navy Frogmen. Battling racism and adversity, Ferguson’s journey is one of courage, perseverance, and a legacy that paved the way for generations.
Black History Month Vignettes
Classic FM will feature vignettes throughout February in celebration of Black History Month, highlighting the incredible contributions of Black composers, musicians, and conductors.
Listen Monday-Friday at 12 p.m. & 6 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday at 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. on Classic FM
Black History Month Special
Classic FM concludes Black History Month with a special hosted by Syracuse native and renowned opera singer Gregory Sheppard. He brings the history and music of the Harlem Renaissance to the airwaves.
Listen Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. on Classic FM
American Experience: The Busing Battleground
“The Busing Battleground” viscerally captures the class tensions and racial violence that ensued when Black and white students in Boston were bused for the first time between neighborhoods to comply with a federal desegregation order.
Great Migrations: A People on the Move
“Great Migrations: A People on the Move” 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, the film shows how movement is a defining feature of the Black experience.
American Experience: Forgotten Hero—Walter White and the NAACP
The civil rights movement was set in motion by activists of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. While some of its leaders are familiar, Walter White—NAACP head from 1929 to 1955 and one of America’s most influential Black men—has been all but forgotten. This film traces the fascinating and complex life of this neglected civil rights hero.
Premieres Monday, Feb. 2 at 9:30 a.m. on WCNY-TV
“Phoebe & Jay” is an animated series for children ages 3-5 that is designed to support early literacy skills for preschoolers. The series follows the adventures of 6-year-old fraternal twins Phoebe and Jay Yarber, who live with their family in the fantastical Tobsy Towers. Whether using a flyer to help a neighbor find a lost pet, reading clothing labels to find the right size shirt, or using a chore chart to tidy up before a surprise guest arrives, Phoebe and Jay model for young viewers how they, too, can use various kinds of texts kids see in their everyday lives to develop important life skills and engage with others in their family and community.
Teaching Your Child About Black History
Encourage children to explore books and stories that embrace diverse cultures and ethnicities, highlighting the richness of Black history and cultural diversity throughout the entire year.
Children’s Books with Strong Black Characters
Encourage children to explore books and stories that embrace diverse cultures and ethnicities, highlighting the richness of Black history and cultural diversity throughout the entire year.
Black History Month | All About the Holidays
Grades: K-2, 3-5
The month of February honors the important role Black people play in the story of our country. Across the United States, schools and communities organize to learn more about Black history and culture. How is Black History Month recognized in your community? How do you recognize Black History throughout the year?
Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott | Civil Rights Movement
Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Discover how Rosa Parks played a pivotal role igniting the modern civil rights movement. In December 1955, Parks, a Black seamstress and civil rights activist, refused to give up her seat on a public bus to a white patron. Her arrest sparked the Montgomery Bus Movement.
Hip Hop, Social Justice, and Grandmaster Flash | Making Black America
Grades: 9-12
Explore hip hop as an important social commentary on issues affecting the Black community, in this clip from “Making Black America,” presented by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Accompanying classroom activities further explore the intersection of hip hop and social justice.
