FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 9/18/2024 —PBS North Carolina is pleased to announce its continuing participation in the national HBCU Week NOW programming initiative. As part of a partnership with Maryland Public Television (MPT), Black Issues Forum has produced a new special for the project’s YouTube channel to celebrate North Carolina’s historically Black colleges and universities.
The mini documentary, entitled Racing Ahead: WSSU Driving Innovation in Motorsports & NASCAR, shines a light on the innovative motorsports management program at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), the only HBCU and only public university to offer such a degree. The short film also includes a profile of WSSU student Rajah Caruth, the third Black driver to win a race in a NASCAR national series. It was presented in the September 13 episode of Black Issues Forum, which airs every Friday at 7 PM on PBS NC, and is available online and on the PBS app.
“North Carolina is home to eleven historically Black colleges and universities that provide outstanding educational and professional development opportunities,” said Deborah Holt Noel, executive producer of Black Issues Forum. “We’re honored to celebrate their remarkable innovations and spotlight the leaders they have produced.”
In addition to the special, PBS North Carolina will host a reception and screening at WSSU’s Donald Julian Reaves Student Center on Tuesday, October 8, at 6 PM. WSSU Chancellor Bonita J. Brown and Deborah Holt Noel will present brief remarks followed by a screening of the special. Afterward, Kenia Thompson, host of Black Issues Forum, will lead a conversation with NASCAR representatives; Dr. Clay Harshaw, associate professor and coordinator of WSSU’s motorsports management program; and current students majoring in the program. To register for this free event, visit eventbrite.com.
Black Issues Forum’s HBCU Week NOW special is one of six new shorts that will begin premiering on YouTube in mid-September to coincide with the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia. The other five films will be produced by PBS partners MPT, Howard University Television, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, WABE (Atlanta) and South Carolina ETV. Additionally, two episodes of the Local, USA documentary series produced by the WORLD digital channel in 2023—HBCU Week: Beyond the Field and HBCU Week: Tradition and Competition—will be presented on TV and online. Both programs aired recently on PBS NC and are currently available to stream online.
HBCU Week NOW is led by Maryland Public Television with support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Center for Maryland History Films and Morgan State University.
Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliate, offering entertaining, informative, 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. For more information visit mpt.org.
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