HBCU Week: Beyond the Field, presented in partnership with Maryland Public Television

by Kathy Grear 02/19/2024

Episodes highlighting Hampton, Howard, Grambling and more premiere on WORLD on February 19 and 26 

Local, USA, the original documentary series from WORLD, will give a masterclass on the pride, rivalries, culture and legacies of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) this February. This Black History Month, the films HBCU Week: Beyond the Field and HBCU Week: Tradition and Competition will air as part of the series on WORLD (formerly WORLD Channel) at 9 p.m. Eastern (8 p.m. Central) on Monday, February 19 and Monday, February 26, respectively. Each episode will also be available to stream on WORLD’s YouTube channel, WORLDChannel.org and the PBS App on those premiere dates.

WORLD’s Local, USA brings viewers to communities around the country to examine important issues and the community figures doing something about them.

The spotlight on HBCUs begins Monday, February 19 with HBCU Week: Beyond the Field introducing viewers to the story of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), America’s oldest Black athletic conference based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The film, which features Maryland governor Wes Moore, also shines a light on the annual CIAA basketball tournament hosted by the city of Baltimore. Later in the episode, Louisiana takes center stage with a look at the legendary rivalry between Grambling State University and Southern University in the thrilling Bayou Classic. See the trailer for the episode here: https://worldchannel.org/episode/local-usa-hbcu-week-beyond-the-field/<

On February 26, Local, USA returns to campus with HBCU: Tradition & Competition. The documentary explores the history and culture of two HBCU juggernauts, Washington, DC’s Howard University and Virginia’s Hampton University and the long-standing rivalry that sees students, alumni, coaches and more ponder which is “the real HU.” Another classic rivalry showcased is that of North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central in the popular Aggie-Eagle Classic. Watch the trailer for HBCU: Tradition & Competition here: https://worldchannel.org/episode/local-usa-hbcu-week-tradition-and-competition/.

The HBCU Week films airing on Local, USA are presented in partnership with Maryland Public Television in coordination with WHUT (Howard University Television), PBS North Carolina, SCETV and Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

Other episodes in season 8 of Local, USA include In the Bubble with Jaime Harrison, a look at the daring historic 2020 Senate campaign of Democrat Jaime Harrison against long-time U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham in the deep red state of South Carolina. FIRSTHAND: Segregation, by Chicago’s PBS station WTTW, investigates the hidden causes and devastating results of segregation in the midwestern city. Minnesota’s Alt-Meat Revolution takes up the rise in popularity of plant-based protein around the globe and its effect on the rural town of Dawson in Minnesota.

The series also exposes environmental issues with Freedom Hill — presented in partnership with Black Public Media — a portrait of Princeville, North Carolina, the first town incorporated by free Blacks, which is devastated by frequent “100-year floods” and the efforts its citizens are undertaking to combat the issue. Local, USA also joins forces with Virginia’s WHRO to see how rising waters are threatening shore towns.

In partnership with Vision Maker Media, the series presents Fire Tender, the story of a tribe member embracing traditional fire practice to restore the land and the people in California. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, it takes to the streets of New York City to see the response of some Chinese seniors to Asian hate, a collaboration with the Center for Asian American Media (CAAM).

For more on Local, USA and WORLD, visit worldchannel.org or follow WORLD on social media at @worldchannel on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.