PBS North Carolina Presents an All-New Season of ‘Black Issues Forum’
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PBS NORTH CAROLINA PRESENTS AN ALL-NEW SEASON OF ‘BLACK ISSUES FORUM’
Season 37 of the weekly public affairs series premieres Friday, September 1, on PBS NC.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 8/17/2023 — PBS North Carolina announces an all-new season of the weekly public affairs series Black Issues Forum. North Carolina’s leading platform for news stories by, about and for African American communities, Black Issues Forum will premiere its 37th season on Friday, September 1, at 7 PM, on PBS NC as well as online and on the PBS App.
In the season premiere, host Kenia Thompson will discuss diversity in the tech industry with guests April Dawson, associate dean of technology and innovation and a professor of law at North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham; Ricardo Hicks, CEO of Tech Factory in Raleigh; and Chenae Erkerd, tech recruiter and founder of Recruiter Cousin Consulting.
Every week on Black Issues Forum, thought leaders, changemakers and creators come together to share, illuminate and inspire. In addition to panel discussions and field reports on cutting-edge topics affecting Black communities across the state, the series celebrates stories of resiliency and triumph.
“Black Issues Forum provides an inside view of people and communities who are often overlooked or misrepresented,” says series host and producer Kenia Thompson. “This season, we’ll focus on storytelling more than ever before, all while keeping viewers abreast of political issues and their impact on our state. I’m especially excited about our new field specials, which allow us to connect with communities on a more personal level.”
Upcoming stories include an in-depth look at the accomplishments of three historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) (to air September 15), a deep dive into the challenges of post-pandemic nursing and profiles of three principals doing extraordinary work within their schools. Also featured is an inspiring story about the Ebony Anglers, a group of Black competitive fisherwomen who strive to make the sport more diverse and inclusive.
Executive Producer and former host Deborah Holt Noel will also present special reports, including an exploration of Black communities in western North Carolina.
Black Issues Forum is the longest-running PBS NC original series currently in production. Catch up on recent episodes by visiting pbsnc.org/BlackIssuesForum.
About Kenia Thompson
Kenia Thompson is the host and producer of Black Issues Forum. She began guest-hosting the series in May 2022 and became the regular host in January 2023. The show is designed to share Black-led stories about people and issues shaping the lives of African American communities in North Carolina. Her mission is to provide content that is relevant, uplifting, informative and instructive and to engage diverse audiences and communities toward these efforts.
Kenia has 20 years of experience in news, nonprofit work and corporate business. She helps students, professionals and leaders in discovering their authentic selves and identifying their most effective communication style. These methods include the art of storytelling, public speaking and media coaching as well as classroom instruction and workshop training for large groups.
Kenia has also authored the book Conversations Beyond the Screen, a quick read designed to re-educate readers on how to reignite conversations outside of a chat or social media posts.
About Deborah Holt Noel
Deborah Holt Noel is the executive producer of Black Issues Forum. She was the program’s producer beginning in 1999 and continued as both the producer and host from 2012 to 2022. She’s also the host and contributing producer of the popular weekly travel series NC Weekend.
As the host of Black Issues Forum, Deborah respectfully upholds the original mission of the series developed by Dr. Paul Vandergrift to explore issues contributing to racial disparities for North Carolinians. Under her leadership, the show highlights the broad diversity of African American life, experiences and contributions from the arts to social life, societal issues, politics, business and technology.
Deborah is a proud graduate of Saint Augustine’s College (now University) and earned her Master of Arts degree from the University of Maryland at College Park. She is the granddaughter of Civil Rights pioneers Joseph and Elwyna Holt, the first family to challenge Raleigh’s segregated public schools. Through her work at PBS North Carolina, Deborah continues her family’s legacy, lifting up history, heritage and culture inclusively so that everyone may enjoy all the riches North Carolina has to offer.
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 and LinkedIn.
-PBS NC-
Media Contact
Allyson Meade, Marketing & Communications
PBS North Carolina
press@pbsnc.org