FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

PBS NORTH CAROLINA CELEBRATES THE TREMENDOUS IMPACT OF HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES 

A new HBCU special examines a unique aviation program and a historic football rivalry. 

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 10/12/2023 — PBS North Carolina has partnered with Maryland Public Television (MPT) to celebrate the contributions and legacy of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). In September, MPT launched a new YouTube channel to share HBCU stories centered around HBCU classic football matchups. This channel launch coincided with the 2023 National HBCU Week Conference hosted by the U.S. Department of Education and White House Initiative on Advancing Education, Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  

As part of MPT’s initiative, PBS North Carolina’s Kenia Thompson and Deborah Holt Noel have created a Black Issues Forum special that focuses on Elizabeth City State University’s pioneering aviation program and the storied football rivalry between North Carolina Central University in Durham and North Carolina A&T in Greensboro. The special is now streaming online. 

“I’m thrilled to see renewed excitement around HBCUs and love that PBS North Carolina is a part of a larger campaign to share stories about these illustrious institutions,” said Black Issues Forum’s Executive Producer Deborah Holt Noel. “I consider it a point of pride to call myself an HBCU graduate and hope viewers will feel the energy and joy through our storytelling.” 

“Our HBCU special features a story about the Aggie-Eagle Classic, an intense, century-old football contest,” continues Noel. “Amid the battle of bands, fans and teams on the gridiron is a deep familial connection and a unifying feeling of uplift.” 

This Aggie-Eagle Classic story is made possible through a grant from Maryland Public Television with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. For additional public media stories about historically Black colleges and universities, visit HBCU Week Now’s YouTube channel. 

In addition to the new special, PBS North Carolina is highlighting HBCU’s unique role in American education and culture with an online content collection and a social media campaign on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads and YouTube. 

About Maryland Public Television 

Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliate, offering entertaining, educational and inspiring content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers and mobile devices. A state agency, it operates under the auspices of the Maryland Public Broadcasting Commission. MPT creates and distributes local, regional and national content and is a frequent winner of regional Emmy® Awards. MPT’s commitment to educators, parents, caregivers and learners of all ages is delivered through instructional events and Thinkport.org. MPT’s year-round community engagement activities connect viewers with resources on a wide range of topics. To learn more, visit mpt.org. 

About PBS North Carolina 

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube. 

-PBS NC- 

Media Contact 
Allyson Meade, Marketing & Communications 
PBS North Carolina 
press@pbsnc.org