Black History Month

WQED broadcasts programming created by and about African-Americans year-round, engaging viewers in an exploration of Black History. In addition to documentaries airing in February commemorating the contributions of African-Americans, throughout 2023 WQED will also feature local and national programs about moments in history that helped shape race relations today.

Watch on WQED-TV 2023

Tuesday, February 7

3pm – Antiques Roadshow: Celebrating Black Americana

9pm – Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World (Part 2)

Wednesday, February 8

3pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 1)

4pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 2)

5pm – Wylie Avenue Days

9pm – NOVA: Star Chasers of Senegal

10pm – Secrets of the Dead: The Woman in the Iron Coffin

Thursday, February 9

8pm – WQED Mini Docs: The Photographers

8:30pm – WQED Mini Docs: Musical Mentors

9pm – Muhammad Ali: Round 2: What’s My Name? (1964-1970)

Friday, February 10

2pm – NOVA: Star Chasers of Senegal

9pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 3)

10pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 4)

Saturday, February 11

5pm – NOVA: Star Chasers of Senegal

Sunday, February 12

12pm – Wylie Avenue Days

1pm – Torchbearers

2pm – Civil Rights: Witness to History

2:30pm – Freedom House Ambulance: The First Responders

4pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 3)

5pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 4)

Monday, February 13

7:30pm – Civil Rights: Witness to History

Tuesday, February 14

9pm – Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World (Part 3)

Wednesday, February 15

3pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 3)

4pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 4)

5pm – Torchbearers

Thursday, February 16

9pm – Muhammad Ali: Round 3: Rivalry (1970-1974)

Saturday, February 18

10pm – Filmmaker’s Corner: Artists and Whistle

Sunday, February 19

12pm – Return to the Roots of Civil Roots

12:30pm – The Good Fight

1pm – Barbershops: PA Stylin’

2pm – WQED Mini Docs: The Photographers

3pm – Jim Crow of the North

4pm – American Experience: Voice of Freedom

Tuesday, February 21

8pm – Finding Your Roots: And I Still Rise

9pm – Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World (Part 4)

Wednesday, February 22

2pm – Finding Your Roots: And I Still Rise

4pm – Jim Crow of the North

5pm – Barbershops: PA Stylin’

Thursday, February 23

8pm – Freedom House Ambulance: The First Responders

8:30pm – The Good Fight

9pm – Muhammad Ali: Round 4: Remains (1974-2016)

Friday, February 24

9pm – The Magic of Spirituals

Monday, February 27

7:30pm – Woodworkers of Western Pennsylvania

Watch Online

Madame Dawson's Opera Company

Preservationists are working to save the grand old Victorian home on Apple Street in Pittsburgh's Homewood neighborhood - and for good reason.

Come By Here: A History of Five Churches

These are the histories of five of them: a church with ties to the Underground Railroad.

Return to the Roots of Civil Rights

See the journey of four Western Pennsylvanians in 2006 as they made their way from one Civil Rights milestone to another on an eight day trip.

Portrayal & Perception: African-American Men and Boys

This documentary focuses on teenagers excelling in school, volunteering as mentors, and working hard to make a difference among their peers.

Civil Rights: Witnesses To History

WQED shares the unforgettable memories and rare photographs of Civil Rights era activists.

Torchbearers

Revisit Pittsburgh's struggles during the so-called golden era of civil rights, and meet many of the men and women who lit the way for the generations that followed.

Nazi Olympics

Most know the 1936 Olympics, held in Nazi Germany, for the amazing feats of African American athlete Jessie Owens, but these Olympics held many more surprises.

Duke Spaulding

As a piano tuner ,George H. Spaulding helped perfect the performances of local stars, but he is first a musician, known simply as The Duke.

Slave To Soldier

This exhibit at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum in Oakland chronicles the epic struggle of enslaved Africans who fought for their freedom in the Civil War.

Shona Sharif African Drum

African dance is an art form with a vast history. Shona Sharif African Dance Ensemble educates the community in this centuries old culture.

American Legion Post 450

Post 450 has a special meaning to the black residents of Sewickley who proudly celebrate that small borough’s tradition of military service.

A Beautiful Life

Through old photos and film Horizons chronicles 102 year old Mrs. Lillian Allen's entrepreneurship during the heyday of the Hill District.

New Hope for the Hill District

Chris Moore reports on a positive, new surge in housing and economic development for Pittsburgh's Hill District.

Lavelle Retrospective

Chris Moore takes a look at the life and work of Robert Lavelle Sr., founder of Dwelling House Savings and Loan, one of the few black-owned banks in Pennsylvania.

Haiti Baptist Ministries

Contributor Harold Hayes looks at a local connection to the concern about Haiti not only since the earthquake, but long before then.

Queloides: Race and Racism in Cuban Contemporary Art

Queloides or Keloids are wound-induced pathological scars. This art exhibit directly from Cuba examines the scars of the seldom discussed issue of racism in Cuba.

The Pittsburgh Courier

To celebrate the newspaper's 100th anniversary, the Heinz History Center presents a new exhibition- America's Best Weekly: A Century of the Pittsburgh Courier.

All That Jazz

Charles Cottrell was a pianist in the heyday of jazz in Pittsburgh. He remembers those days when he and all the Pittsburgh greats he played with made the city a mecca for jazz.

The Teenie Harris Archive Project

Charles "Teenie" Harris died in the late 1990s leaving behind thousands of negatives and photographs of Pittsburgh's black community in the early 20th century.

Roger Humphries

Roger Humphries is a legendary jazz drummer who learned to play from people like Art Blakey. Blakey urged Humphries to pass on his jazz knowledge to the younger set and that is just what he did.

Wes Lyons and Shaun Robinson

Michael Bartley is joined by Shawn Robinson and Wes Lyons to talk about what they are doing to try and make a difference in the lives of at risk youth.

Patricia Prattis Jennings

She was the principal keyboardist for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for four decades before retiring. Hear from Patricia Prattis Jennings about her successful career as a musician.

Thelma Lovette's YMCA

Thelma Lovett has been a tireless advocate for her community. WQED's Minette Seate visits the Hill District's Thelma Lovett YMCA, named in her honor.

Memories of the March: Pittsburgh Stories

Fifty years ago, a quarter of a million people gathered in our nation's capital for the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Pittsburgh area men and women share their thoughts of that day.

Portrayal & Perception: African-American Men & Boys

Media Men: This episode continues a series that reports on African American men and boys in positive and mentoring roles. "Media Men" focuses on communications careers.

Gwen Elliott Remembered

Gwen Elliott, the first black woman to become a commander in the Pittsburgh Police department. The former Pittsburgh Police commander will be remembered for her dedication to the community which included starting "Gwen's Girls" a group home that aims to give at-risk girls the education, training and services to support themselves and their children.