Miami, FL – South Florida PBS (WPBT, WXEL, and Health Channel) is thrilled to announcethatGreat Migrations: A People on The Move, a new four-part docuseries from Emmy nominated executive producer, host, and writer Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., is set to premiere on January 28th at 9:00PM on WPBT and on January 30th at 8:00PM on WXEL.
The series tells the story of African American movement over the 20th and 21st centuries, and how it has shaped our nation by exploring the meaning behind those movements. What political or economic pressures inspire people to move? Is it more often inspired by hope or fear? Is there even such a thing as a promised land? GREAT MIGRATIONS is directed by Julia Marchesi and Nailah Ife Sims, who also serve as producers of the series. Dyllan McGee serves as executive producer, along with Gates.
Human beings have always moved en masse. Since the beginning of human existence, movement has defined how we evolved and created identities, communities, and nations-states. Migration is not unique to any single ethnicity or group, but it is a deeply profound aspect of the modern African American experience simply because Black people were denied movement for so long. Theirs was a forced migration from Africa, followed by centuries of enslavement that kept them in place. In being denied movement, they were denied their humanity.
South Florida PBS is proud to be a grantee station from WETA to aid in the promotion of this program. We will be hosting several community engagement events and original digital content focusing on the cultural significance of the migration of Caribbean and Bahamian immigrants to the Miami-Dade area. To stay informed on South Florida PBS events, sign up for our weekly newsletter here, or visit SouthFloridaPBS.org/Events/.
About WETA
WETA is the leading public media station in the nation’s capital, serving Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia with educational initiatives and with high-quality television, radio, and digital content. WETA Washington, D.C., is the second-largest producing station for public television, with news and public affairs programs including PBS NEWS HOUR, PBS NEWS WEEKEND, and WASHINGTON WEEK WITH THE ATLANTIC; series and documentaries by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., including FINDING YOUR ROOTS WITH HENRY LOUIS GATES, JR. and GOSPEL; films by Ken Burns and Florentine Films, such as THE AMERICAN BUFFALO and the forthcoming LEONARDO DA VINCI; performance specials including THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS GERSHWIN PRIZE FOR POPULAR SONG and A CAPITOL FOURTH; and health content from WELL BEINGS, a multiplatform campaign. More information on WETA and its programs and services are available at weta.org. Visit facebook.com/wetatvfm on Facebook.
About SOUTH FLORIDA PBS
South Florida PBS is Florida’s largest public media company, including Public Broadcasting stations WXEL-TV, serving the Palm Beaches and the Treasure Coast and WPBT2, serving Miami-Dade and Broward counties, and the Health Channel, the only 24/7 channel dedicated to health in the nation. South Florida PBS connects organizations and institutions across our region and preserves South Florida's history. Leading the way in this global society, South Florida PBS is committed to creating and presenting award-winning programs focused on kids, education, arts and culture, health, environment, science, and civic engagement.
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