The Legacy: 75 Years of Blacks on Television

- Season 1

(2023)

'Bloom Where You Are Planted' traces the roots of Blacks on television from the years 1939-1969. The journey highlights how Ethel Waters broke barriers by becoming the first Black on television in 1939, and paved the way for shows like Amos-n-Andy, I Spy, Julia, and the Mod Squad. The director highlights television breakthroughs of icons such as Hattie McDaniel, Diahann Carroll, Richard Pryor and Sammy Davis, Jr., and the turbulent times of a heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali after he refused to enter the draft to fight in the Vietnam War.

'More Than The Help' highlights the incredible contributions of Blacks on television from the years 1970-1974, and explores how Blacks changed the racial views of many Americans through laughter on shows like Maude, The Flip Wilson Show, All in the Family, and Laugh-in.

'Movin' On Up' celebrates the mainstream breakthroughs as television shows starring Black actors consistently dominating at the top of the Nielsen ratings from the years 1975-1979. The story highlights the prime time dominance from shows such as The Jeffersons to Roots. Diverse casts dominated prime time. African Americans became fixtures on television and drew in record breaking numbers of viewers.

'I'm Gonna Live Forever' traces the incredible start to the iconic careers of Black artists who because global stars. The story showcases the breakthrough television shows that made Denzel Washington and Eddie Murphy household names and living legends. Dozens of shows with Black entertainers are highlighted, many of which garnered Emmy nominations for Blacks artists, including the iconic Debbie Allen in the series Fame.

'It's A Family Affair' celebrates the evolution of how Black families are portrayed on primetime television. The journey follows the rise of the NBC series 227 - which proved that Marla Gibbs can carry her own series, and introduces the world to Regina King. The Cosby Show breaks new ground and awakens the world to diverse perspectives of the Black family.

'How We Got Down' honors the global explosion of Black culture on television between 1987-1989. The story highlights how Black America broke new ground with the rise of Hip Hop TV shows "Yo. MTV Raps" and "BET's Rap City." Arsenio Halls takes late night television by storm and gives a major national voice to African American artists.