March 16, 2021
BLACK PUBLIC MEDIA
WEEKLY DISPATCH
By Leslie Fields-Cruz
Celebrating Black Women's History
It’s the middle of Women’s history month and as a Black mother, I believe Women’s History, just like Black history, must be included in all of our teachings about American and global history. However, until we get there, I will use Women’s History Month to highlight the contributions of Black women. You can find these documentaries streaming for free on PBS.org.
Fannie Lou Hamer: Stand Up — Civil rights hero Fannie Lou Hamer is remembered by those who joined her in the struggle.
Vel Phillips: Dream Big Dreams — The story of civil rights leader Vel Phillips, the first African American judge in Wisconsin and the first woman, and African American, in the nation elected to executive office in state government.
T-Rex: Her Fight for Gold — The coming-of-age story of boxing phenom Claressa Shields, who was just 17 years old when she won the Olympic gold medal for women’s boxing in 2012.
For our educators and virtual homeschoolers check out PBS Learning Media module about Civil Rights leader Daisy Bates, taken from the 2012 documentary Daisy Bates: The First Lady of Little Rock by Sharon LaCruise.
For stories that premiered on public media but are streaming on other platforms check out:
Ida B Wells: A Passion for Justice — documents the dramatic life and turbulent times of the pioneering African American journalist, activist, suffragist and anti-lynching crusader of the post-Reconstruction period.
BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez — offers unprecedented access to the life, work and mesmerizing performances of renowned poet, educator and activist Sonia Sanchez
Celia The Queen — The life and times of Celia Cruz
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise — The first feature documentary on the singer, dancer, activist, poet and writer who inspired generations with modern African-American thought that pushed boundaries.
Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart: Lorraine Hansberry — If you only know “A Raisin in the Sun,” then you don’t know Lorraine Hansberry.
Know of more stories about Black women in history that have yet to be told? Tag us and let us know on Instagram @blackpublicmedia or Twitter @blkpublicmedia using #BlackWomenInHistory.
Are you looking for opportunities? New INC. is accepting submissions to their latest Open Call. To learn more about the program, you’re invited to attend their Open House, on Thurs., March 31, 5 p.m. E.T. The open call deadline is April 20. We also just learned that Netflix and Ghetto Film School are launching a new fellowship for nonfiction directors and producers. Details about how to apply are here.
And if you’re job hunting, ITVS is looking for a new: part-time station relations manager and a senior manager of marketing operations; and StoryCorps is searching for a senior broadcast producer.
In closing, don’t forget to secure your tickets to our April 9 PitchBLACK events. Admission to the awards program is free, but registration is required. Registration to the awards program, the BPMplus Showcase and the pre- and post-awards mixers is available here.
Black Public Media is supported in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, with further funding from the MacArthur Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts. Support for Afropop: the Ultimate Cultural Exchange and the 360 Incubator+ Fund comes from the National Endowment for the Arts. BPM is the only nonprofit that offers training, funding and distribution for projects solely about the Black experience. We are seeking foundations, corporations and individuals to help our work. For more information about underwriting and contributions, please contact Alisa Norris (Alisa@ blackpublicmedia.org). To donate, click here! In addition, you can donate to BPM through your Amazon purchases by going to smile.amazon.com/ch/31- 1335950.
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