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WOUB is celebrating Black History Month across the region with screenings of “GOSPEL”
< < Back toATHENS, OH – WOUB Public Media is partnering with Ohio University’s regional campuses, the Southeast Ohio History Center, the Mount Zion Preservation Society, the Ohio University School of Music and libraries across the area to celebrate Black History Month with screenings of GOSPEL. The new docuseries explores the rich history of Black spirituality through sermon and song from executive producer, host, and writer Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
In GOSPEL, Gates, the Alphonse Fletcher University Professor at Harvard University and director of the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research, speaks with dozens of clergymen, singers, and scholars about their connection to the music that has transcended its origins and now spreads “the good word” all around the world. The series features interviews with notable names including Dionne Warwick, U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, Rev. Otis Moss III, Professor Michael Eric Dyson, and awe-inspiring musical performances of Gospel favorites Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus, Total Praise, and others from talents including The Belle Singers, Cory Henry, Celisse, and more.
Gospel music is more than the soundtrack of the African American experience, “it’s the beating heart and soul,” said Gates. “From the Great Migration to today, the history of Black gospel music and preaching is one of constant movement, and it’s long been a dream of mine to bring it to public television. We’re blessed to have such outstanding partners in delivering this series and concert at a time in our nation when the need for Gospel’s transcendent, healing powers is so great.”
The series will premiere on WOUB TV February 12 and 13, 2024, with a special companion concert premiering February 9.
The regional screening events will show a small portion of the series and are free and open to the public. Dates, times and locations are listed below.
- Feb 6 at 6 p.m. – Coshocton County District Library, 655 Main Street, Coshocton, OH (Special guest speaker Philip Tabler)
- Feb 8 at 6 p.m. – Ohio University Chillicothe Bennett Hall, 101 University Drive, Chillicothe, OH (Co-sponsored by the Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library and the Ross County NAACP)
- Feb 10 at 5:30 p.m. – Southeast Ohio History Center, 24 W State Street, Athens, OH (Musical performances by the Singing Men of Ohio, Kenzia Waters and Dr. Patricia Cambridge)
- Feb 15 at 12 p.m. – John McIntire Library, Lunch and Learn, 220 North Fifth Street
Zanesville, OH
- Feb 20 at 5:30 p.m. – Ohio University Lancaster Brasee Hall Room 211, 1570 Granville Pike, Lancaster, OH
- Feb 22 at 6 p.m. – Marietta College Anderson-Hancock Planetarium, 216 4th Street, Marietta, OH
- Feb 29 at 5:30 p.m. – Ohio University Southern Riffe Rotunda, 1804 Liberty Avenue Ironton, OH