By Todd Simmons
PBS is debuting an exceptional four-part documentary series this month, “Making Black America: Through the Grapevine.” Hosted and executive produced by award-winning author and historian Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the project also includes Dr. Jelani Favors, holder of the Justice Henry Frye Distinguished Professorship at North Carolina A&T.
“Professor Gates, with directors Stacey L. Holman and Shayla Harris, chronicle the vast social networks and organizations created by and for Black people beyond the reach of the ‘White gaze,'” reads promotional verbiage for MBA. “The series recounts the establishment of the Prince Hall Masons in 1775 through the formation of all-Black towns and business districts, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, destinations for leisure and the social media phenomenon of Black Twitter.”
“Professor Gates sits with noted scholars, politicians, cultural leaders and old friends to discuss this world behind the color line and what it looks like today.”
Early in the series, Dr. Favors helps to frame the determination of early African Americans in the 1700s and 1800s to learn and have access to educational opportunities.
At that time, “White Americans are concerned about what Black folks are learning within these spaces. But that does not stop the desire and the demand that Black folks have for educating themselves,” said Favors. “So yes, there will indeed be a clandestine effort moving forward for Black folks to find education by any means necessary.”
Favors, who joined the A&T faculty in 2021, is the author of “Shelter in a Time of Storm: How Black Colleges Fostered Generations of Leadership and Activism” (UNC Press), which won numerous prestigious literary awards following its 2020 release.
He is currently at work on a center-in-development at A&T that will focus on civil and social rights and social justice.
Thanks to the expertise of Favors and his peers shared in this series, MBA “takes viewers into an extraordinary world that showcased Black people’s ability to collectively prosper, defy white supremacy and define Blackness in ways that transformed America itself,” its producers write.
See all broadcasting dates and times below for all episodes of MBA over the remainder of October on PBS North Carolina channels.
“Making Black America: Through the Grapevine”
EPISODE 1: BUILDING BLACK AMERICA
Tuesday, October 4, 9 p.m. on PBSNC
Wednesday, October 5, 3 a.m. on PBSNC
Friday, October 7, 12 p.m. on North Carolina Channel
Sunday, October 9, 7 p.m. on North Carolina Channel
Monday, October 10, 12:30 a.m. on North Carolina Channel
Monday, October 10, 9 a.m. on North Carolina Channel
Thursday, October 13, 8 p.m. on Explorer Channel
EPISODE 2: THE WORK OF THE IMAGINATION
Tuesday, October 11, 9 p.m. on PBSNC
Wednesday, October 12, 3 a.m. on PBSNC
Thursday, October 13, 9 p.m. on Explorer Channel
Friday, October 14, 12 p.m. on North Carolina Channel
Sunday, October 16, 7 p.m. on North Carolina Channel
Monday, October 17, 12:30 a.m. on North Carolina Channel
Monday, October 17, 9 a.m. on North Carolina Channel
EPISODE 3: A GROWING RESISTANCE
Tuesday, October 18, 9 p.m. on PBSNC
Wednesday, October 19, 3 a.m. on PBSNC
Thursday, October 20, 8 p.m. on Explorer Channel
Friday, October 21, 12 p.m. on North Carolina Channel
Sunday, October 23, 7 p.m. on North Carolina Channel
Monday, October 24, 12:30 a.m. on North Carolina Channel
Monday, October 24, 9 a.m. on North Carolina Channel
EPISODE 4: LIFE BEYOND THE VEIL
Tuesday, October 25, 9 p.m. on PBSNC
Wednesday, October 26, 3 a.m. on PBSNC
Thursday, October 27, 8 p.m. on Explorer Channel
Friday, October 28, 12 p.m. on North Carolina Channel
Sunday, October 30, 7 p.m. on North Carolina Channel
Monday, October 31, 12:30 a.m. on North Carolina Channel
Monday, October 31, 9 a.m. on North Carolina Channel
