TV Celebrates Black History

Chuck Barney - Contra Costa Times

Even before Barack Obama made his monumental ascension to the White House, television traditionally marked Black History Month with a prodigious and diverse lineup of programming. But this February's slate figures to take on even more resonance for many.

Here's a rundown of some noteworthy offerings over the coming days and weeks:

-"Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" (8 p.m. Feb. 7, TNT): Cuba Gooding Jr. and Kimberly Elise star in this new TV film based on the inspirational memoir of Dr. Benjamin S. Carson. He overcame the challenges of his inner-city roots to become a world-famous neurosurgeon at Johns Hopkins University Hospital.

-"A Father's Promise" (8 p.m. Feb. 8, MSNBC): Al Roker hosts a round-table discussion with experts to examine why so many black children are growing up without a father. Also, a look at three inner-city children born in the same week 12 years ago and the journey they have taken since.

-"We Shall Not Be Moved" (9 p.m. Feb. 8, Nickelodeon): A news special that has anchor Linda Ellerbee discussing the state of racism in America with a group of diverse youth.

-"The BET Honors" (9 p.m. Feb. 9, BET): Gabrielle Union hosts a celebration of prominent black movers and shakers. Among the honorees: Singer Mary J. Blige, filmmaker Tyler Perry, dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison and basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson.

-"40th Annual NAACP Image Awards" (8 p.m. Feb. 12, Fox): Halle Berry and Tyler Perry host the gala, which celebrates the artistic achievements of people of color and honors projects and individuals that promote diversity. Former Vice President Al Gore and Kenya's Wangari Maathai each will receive the Chairman's Award.

-"A Raisin in the Sun" (5 p.m. Feb. 15, BET): The Emmy-winning adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's landmark play about a family struggling to get ahead in 1950s Chicago. Sean "Diddy" Combs, Phylicia Rashad and Sanaa Lathan lead the cast.

-"Simon Schama's Rough Crossings" (10 p.m. Feb. 16, PBS): The historian uses journals and diaries to reconstruct the epic - and tragic - journey across the Atlantic Ocean that thousands of black slaves took after the Revolutionary War in order to find a haven in Sierra Leone.

-"The Blacklist: Volume Two" (8 p.m. Feb. 26, HBO): Film critic Elvis Mitchell conducts interviews with 16 prominent Americans to glean their insights on the struggles, triumphs and joys of black life in America. The subjects include Laurence Fishburne, Tyler Perry, Maya Rudolph, Charley Pride, activist Angela Davis and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick.

-"Nothing But a Man" (10 p.m. Feb. 26, Sundance Channel): A powerful, but widely overlooked 1964 film that examines black life and the importance of self-respect. Ivan Dixon stars as a railroad worker and Abby Lincoln plays the minister's daughter who catches his eye.

-"Black To The Future" (10 p.m. Feb. 27, VH1): David Alan Grier hosts this lighthearted four-part special that celebrates the contributions of blacks to American pop culture since the 1970s - "from 'The Jeffersons' to the Jacksons, Marion Barry to Barry Bonds, and the afro to the Jheri curl."

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