Celebrating Black History

WQED Pittsburgh’s Black History and “Black Horizons” Preservation and Access Project

WQED’s Emmy-winning and groundbreaking program, Black Horizons, launched in 1968, provided a vital platform for Black voices and artists in Pittsburgh for over four decades. It was one of the first minority affairs programs in the country and became the longest-running one on public television.

Funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission, this project aims to digitize and preserve approximately 2,000 media assets from Black Horizons and related programs, including crucial local stories and interviews with prominent figures. The digitized collection will be made accessible through the American Archive of Public Broadcasting (AAPB) and WQED’s own channels, ensuring the preservation and sharing of this important historical record for future generations.

Remembering Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | Black Horizons, 2005

Join host Chris Moore on Black Horizons (2005) for a conversation about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with guests who knew him personally: Rev. Leroy Partick, Dr. Delphina Briscoe, and Rev. J Van Alfred Winsett. Hear their reflections on Dr. King’s life and work, including discussion of his early years and the impact of his speeches, such as his address at Ebenezer Baptist Church. This episode also includes a portion of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and a discussion of the rebuilding of Ebenezer Baptist Church after a fire.

Legendary Reporter Dee Thompson & The History of Black Radio in Pittsburgh | Black Horizons, 2009

This 2009 episode of Black Horizons explores the history of Black radio in Pittsburgh and features an interview with Pittsburgh sports reporter and news anchor, Dee Thompson (1940-2024). Archival photos and footage bring this history to life as Host Chris Moore sits down with New Pittsburgh Courier editor Rod Doss to discuss the legacy of Black radio personalities and their impact on the community. Veteran reporter Dee Thompson reflects on a storied career, including memorable interviews with Roberto Clemente and his coverage of the Johnny Gammage tragedy.

Traditional African Drum & Dance with Re Sun Sum | Black Horizons, 2002

Experience the vibrant energy of Re Sun Sum, a Pittsburgh-based African drumming and dance ensemble, in this 2002 episode of Black Horizons. The group shares their passion for keeping African traditions alive through performances and insightful discussions about the history and cultural significance of drumming and dance, connecting people to their heritage and inspiring joy and enthusiasm.

Black Horizons host Chris Moore and Producer Minette Seate

“I knew about Black Horizons long before I ever became the show’s producer. Black Horizons was a presence at WQED. It was recorded nearly once a week downstairs in WQED’s Studio A. I would see many of the people I’d read about in the paper or heard about in conversation. They’d come in to sit down with Chris Moore and record an episode.

I produced Black Horizons for many years and in its nearly 40 years of existence, it never wavered from its primary goal: To serve as a welcoming space for Pittsburgh’s Black community to tell our own stories, in our own voices. Week after week, year after year, whether it was covering a job training program in the Hill or the National NAACP convention, we did our best to shine a light on Black Pittsburgh for the benefit of all Pittsburghers. And speaking of job training, Black Horizons also served as a training ground for aspiring African American producers, writers, on air talent and hosts. It’s why I’m here.”

Minette Seate, Managing Director, Production & Programming, WQED

Discover a library of content celebrating African American history, culture, and the Civil Rights Movement on WQED’s YouTube Channel.

Click the Playlist icon in the top right corner of the video player to view more content.

WQED Classical Schedule

Daily | 7:30am and 5:30pm

Jim and Anna will each play a piece composed or performed by a Black artist throughout February.

Friday, February 7 | 7:00pm

Performance in Pittsburgh: The 2023-2024 Chamber Music Pittsburgh concert season began with a program titled “Songs of Black America.” Hear flutist Brandon Patrick George and pianist Aaron Diehl play music by William Grant Still, Valerie Coleman and others.

Friday, February 14 | 7:00pm

Performance in Pittsburgh: A rebroadcast of the Mendelssohn Choir “Let My People Go” concert, recorded February 2019 at Ebenezer Baptist Church. This dramatic work, composed by award-winning, American composer Donald McCullough, interweaves 14 Negro Spirituals with a dramatic, historically based script.

Monday, February 17 | 8:00pm

Atlanta’s King Celebration Concert: A joyful celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus and the Ebenezer Baptist Church Chorus and Band.

Friday, February 28 | 7:00 PM

Performance in Pittsburgh: The December 2022 Imani Winds concert at PNC Theater, as part of the Chamber Music Pittsburgh concert series. It was the conclusion of their Artist in Residence appointment with CMP and other arts organizations in Pittsburgh.

Stream Classical WQED Live

WQED-TV Broadcast Programming Schedule

Sunday, February 2

1pm – Wylie Avenue Days (WQED production)

2pm – Freedom House Ambulance: The FIRST Responders (WQED production)

2:30pm – Brain Space and Energy: My Interview with August Wilson (WQED production)

3pm – Journeys of Black Mathematicians (Part 1)

4pm – Journeys of Black Mathematicians (Part 2)

5pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 1)

Monday, February 3

7:30pm – Come By Here: A History of Five Churches (WQED production)
*re-airs at 12:30am on 2/4

9pm – Antiques Roadshow: Celebrating Black Americana

Tuesday, February 4

9pm – Great Migrations | A People on the Move: Streets, Paved with Gold (Pt 2)

Wednesday, February 5

3pm – Great Migrations | A People on the Move: Streets, Paved with Gold (Pt 2)

4:30pm – Freedom House Ambulance: The FIRST Responders (WQED production)

Thursday, February 6

8pm – Make a Joyful Noise (WQED production)

9pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 2)

10pm – Great Migrations | A People on the Move: Streets, Paved with Gold (Pt 2)

Friday, February 7

4pm – Make a Joyful Noise (WQED production)

5pm – Antiques Roadshow: Celebrating Black Americana

Sunday, February 9

1pm – Fly Boys: Western Pennsylvania’s Tuskegee Airmen (WQED production)

2pm – The Good Fight (WQED production)

2:30pm – Woodworkers of Western Pennsylvania (WQED production)

3pm – Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask

5pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 2)

Monday, February 10

7:30pm – Childhood Lost: The Adultification of African American Girls
(WQED production) *re-airs 12:30am on 2/11

Tuesday, February 11

9pm – Great Migrations | A People on the Move: One Way Ticket Back (Pt 3)

10pm – Chautauqua at 150: Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise

Wednesday, February 12

3pm – Great Migrations | A People on the Move: One Way Ticket Back (Pt 3)

Thursday, February 13

8:30pm – WQED Mini Docs: Musical Mentors (WQED production)
*re-airs at 4:30pm on 2/14

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

10pm – Great Migrations | A People on the Move: One Way Ticket Back (Pt 3)

Sunday, February 16

1pm – Jim Crow Pennsylvania (WQED production)

3pm – Chautauqua at 150: Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise

4pm – Finding Edna Lewis (PBS Plus)

5pm – Making Black America: Through the Grapevine (Part 3)

Monday, February 17

7:30pm – Equity on Ice: The Willie O’Ree Academy (WQED production) *re-airs at 12:30am on 2/18

9pm – American Masters: The Disappearance of Miss Scott *premiere*
The Disappearance of Miss Scott tells the story of Hazel Scott, immigrant, piano prodigy, darling of New York’s jazz scene, Hollywood star, rebel, and civil rights activist.

10:30pm – Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up

Sunday, February 23

1pm – Make a Joyful Noise (WQED production)

2pm – Come By Here: A History of Five Churches (WQED production)

2:30pm – WQED Mini Docs: Musical Mentors (WQED production)

3pm – Wes Montgomery: A Celebration Concert

4pm – Hope in the Struggle: The Josie Johnson Story

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

Monday, February 24

7:30pm – Freedom House Ambulance: The FIRST Responders (WQED production)
*re-airs at 12:30am on 2/25

Tuesday, February 25

3pm – American Masters: The Disappearance of Miss Scott

4:30pm – Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up

9pm – American Experience: The NAACP and Its Architects *premiere*
*re-airs at 3pm on 2/26
Description: The story of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the key figures who shaped it.

Thursday, February 27

8pm – Barbershops: PA Stylin’ (WQED production)
*re-airs 4pm on 2/28

9pm – 100 Years From Mississippi

10pm – American Justice on Trial: People V. Newton (PBS Plus) (WQED production)