Black History Month on the Smithsonian Channel
Smithsonian Channel celebrates Black History Month with programming that honors and celebrates African American history and culture. February will feature two premiere programs and many Mission Critical re-airings in primetime. Tune in every Monday at 9:00 p.m. ETt beginning Monday, Feb. 6 through Monday, Feb. 27.
Monday – February 6
9: 00 p.m. BLACK IN SPACE: BREAKING THE COLOR BARRIER – Mission Critical with NMAAHC
10:00 p.m. AFROFUTURISM: THE ORIGIN STORY – Mission Critical with NMAAHC
Monday – February 13
9:00 p.m. THE OBAMA YEARS: THE POWER OF WORDS – Mission Critical with NMAH
10:00 p.m. PICTURING THE OBAMAS: PORTRAITS OF HOPE – Mission Critical with NPG
Monday – February 20
9:00 p.m: CASSIUS X: BECOMING ALI – 2-hour Documentary Premiere, features NMAAHC’s Damion Thomas
CASSIUS X places an often-overlooked chapter of history into the spotlight – the period when Cassius Clay fought his way to achieving his lifelong dream of becoming World Heavyweight Champion while embarking on a secret spiritual journey. As he honed his boxing skills to face the seemingly unbeatable Sonny Liston, Clay was also exploring and embracing the beliefs of the controversial Nation of Islam. The film explores the painful birth of an icon, when in the days ahead of the biggest fight of his life Clay would risk everything – his career, his public persona, his relationship with his family and even the love of a popstar girlfriend – for his new religion.
Monday – February 27
9:00 p.m. AMERICA’S HIDDEN STORIES: THE BLACK WILD WEST – Documentary Premiere
It is one of the West’s most powerful myths. The story of how the American West was won – by great heroes and white men. This program tells the flip side of that myth. In 1875, one of four American cowboys was Black – Black sheriffs, Black trappers, and Black soldiers. Some were adopted by Native American tribes, while others became enslaved. These anonymous heroes were the inspiration for many great Westerns; yet Hollywood has erased them from the silver screen. Pieced together from archives, carefully crafted re-enactments and first-hand historical accounts, THE BLACK WILD WEST restores these invisible heroes to their rightful place in history.
10:00 p.m. THE GREEN BOOK: GUIDE TO FREEDOM – Mission Critical with SITES
Social Media
In addition to supporting the Cassius X: Becoming Ali and America’s Hidden Stories: The Black Wild West on-air premieres, the Channel’s social media team will publish near daily social content highlighting Black History. We will also amplify Smithsonian Institution content from various museums and centers, supporting our family brand efforts across platforms.
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For further information on this message, contact Michelle Mehrtens, Smithsonian Enterprises, x3-6033 (VoIP) or 202-633-6033 (non-VoIP), MehrtensM@si.edu
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Posted: 1 February 2023
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Categories:
Collaboration , Education, Access & Outreach , History and Culture , Spotlight
