TV One Special To Document Top Black Achievements
Network Will Countdown Top Moments in African-American History This Fall
By R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 8/13/2008 2:52:00 PM
TV One will countdown the top moments in African-American history and culture over the past century with a weeklong, five-hour special debuting Nov. 9.
The Blacklist: 100 Greatest Power Moves, hosted by Arsenio Hall, will chronicle the unforgettable moments, cultural movements and personal achievement that have advanced the black race and helped change the course of American history, according to the network.
The special will air over five consecutive nights and will highlight such events as the Thurgood Marshall’sinduction into the Supreme Court; the birth of Motown records; Michael Jackson’s Thrillerbecoming one of the top-selling albums of all time; the emergence of Rap musicas a voice of the inner city; Malcolm X’sstance of self-preservation “By Any Means Necessary”; the steadfast determination of the Little Rock Nineas they helped to desegregate the school system; and Barack Obama’s historic bid for the Presidency.
The special will include commentary from scholars Michael Eric Dyson, Dr. Molefi Kete Asante and William Jelani Cobb, as well as Hip Hop pioneer Russell Simmons.
“Viewers love list shows, and at TV One we wanted to create one that would not only capture attention, but would provoke discussion online and around the water cooler about the events, people and moments that have truly impacted American culture and even shaped our world, society and identity,” said TV One President and CEO Johnathan Rodgers in a statement.
