Maryland Public Television (MPT) started its HBCU Week programming initiative on Monday with a one-hour special hosted on the campus of Morgan State University. During the show, students explained the purpose of HBCU Week and gave a sneak peek into the programming lineup for the week.

Another special aired on the same day, which chronicled the story of Jasmine Barnes, an alumna of Morgan State. The show focused on her artistic collaboration with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society on a musical tribute to Frederick Douglass and Harriet Tubman.

The “Sounds of the Game” program features Melvin Miles, the legendary director of Morgan State University’s award-winning band, The Magnificent Marching Machine.

This special showcases Melvin’s 49-year career. The film “The Morgan Choir: A Joyful Celebration” captures one of the nation’s most prestigious university choral ensembles, the Morgan Choir.

It’s a fitting tribute to the late Dr. Nathan Carter, who led the choir for 34 years. Taped at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, this performance features a repertoire ranging from classical to gospel. The presentation includes interviews with experts, supporters, and members of HBCU choirs.

From September 4 to September 10, HBCU Week on MPT will feature over 27 hours of content that chronicles HBCU contributions to science, medicine, history, education, civil rights, the arts, music, sports, and more.

In the past three years, HBCU Week on MPT has featured up to 22 hours of unique content about HBCUs across its TV, social media, and online platforms.

MPT is partnering with WORLD to present broadcasts of 30-minute programs on HBCU themes for three consecutive Sundays in September. MPT and three other PBS stations are each producing a film focusing on the HBCU Classic football matchups.

Four new short films will be released on YouTube, the PBS App, and PBS digital platforms. These four short films will be presented as a single episode of the WORLD series Local, USA, and scheduled for national broadcast in February 2024 as part of public media’s Black History Month pipeline.

HBCUs are among America’s most crucial institutions for providing access to higher education for generations of Americans from diverse backgrounds.

The 107 HBCUs recognized by the U.S. Department of Education continue to deliver on the promise of their founding, with more than 237,000 students from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds currently enrolled, alongside at least one million alums from all walks of life.

Maryland Public Television (MPT) is a statewide, public-supported TV network and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) affiliate, offering entertaining, informative, educational, and inspiring content delivered by traditional broadcasting and streaming on TVs, computers, and mobile devices. Visit mpt.org for more information.

This fall marks MPT’s fourth season promoting HBCUs via our TV, social media, and online platforms. HBCU Week 2023 runs from Monday, September 4 through Sunday, September 10, featuring 27 hours of content about HBCUs in our viewing area and across the country.