Hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the highly-anticipated PBS series reveals the broad history and culture of the Black church and explores African American faith communities on the frontlines of hope and change. PLUS! NEPM and the Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival present an online discussion about "The Black Church" with series producers Stacey Holman and Shayla Harris hosted by Amilcar Shabazz of the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies at UMass Amherst.
WATCH
The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song
Watch Tuesday, Feb. 16 & Wednesday, Feb 17 at 9 p.m. on NEPM TV
This moving four-hour series from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the 400-year-old story of the Black church in America — all the way down to its bedrock role as the site of African American survival and grace, organizing and resilience, thriving and testifying, autonomy and freedom, solidarity and speaking truth to power. The documentary features interviews with Oprah Winfrey, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Bishop Michael Curry, Cornel West, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Rev. Al Sharpton, Yolanda Adams, Rev. William Barber II, BeBe Winans, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and others.
LEARN
“Telling Our Story, Singing Our Song: Preserving and Protecting Our Sacred Spaces in Dangerous Times.” A Conversation with Stacey Holman and Shayla Harris, producers of PBS’ The Black Church.
Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Watch on Facebook or YouTube
As a companion to the series, NEPM and the Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festivaljoin forces to present a virtual event moderated by Amilcar Shabazz of the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies, UMass Amherst. It will feature a conversation with series producers Stacey Holman and Shayla Harris.
"The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song" will open the 2021 Massachusetts Multicultural Film Festival. With the theme of “Alliances,” the festival will present films and related discussions with scholars and filmmakers every Wednesday from February 17 through April 7.