The Book of Negroes miniseries, Jackie Robinson documentary among the highlights
TORONTO — In recognition of Emancipation Day, which commemorates the abolition of slavery across the British Empire on August 1, the CBC later this month will offer special programming which showcases Black creators, artists and stories from across Canada and around the world.
From July 26-28, CBC will present an encore broadcast of its award-winning original miniseries The Book of Negroes, based on the acclaimed novel by Lawrence Hill. The six-part series originally ran on CBC TV in January 2015 and went on to win 10 Canadian Screen Awards. Starring Aunjanue Ellis (When They See Us), the series follows the harrowing journey of Aminata Diallo who is abducted from her village in West Africa and brought to a South Carolina plantation where she is forced into slavery, before eventually regaining her freedom and returning home to Africa. The six episodes will air over three nights, from Sunday, July 26 through Tuesday, July 28 starting at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) on CBC TV and CBC Gem.
Leading into the first night of the series’ broadcast on July 26, CBC TV will feature special programming starting at 6:30 p.m. (7:00 NT) with CBC Arts: Exhibitionists – Reflection and Resistance, hosted by Amanda Parris, dedicated to Black artists who are trying to create in the midst of an uprising. Then at 7 p.m. (7:30 NT) on CBC TV, Asha Tomlinson will host Being Black in Canada, a special hour of news, current affairs and arts content, including new interviews and insights with author Lawrence Hill and the miniseries’ creators and cast.
CBC will also launch on July 26 an expanded Being Black in Canada website featuring the stories and experiences of Black Canadians. The website will showcase profiles, opinion pieces, video, audio and other content across CBC, including news, documentaries, arts and other programming.
On Saturday, August 1, CBC Arts will partner with Ngozi Paul and Emancipation Arts to present Free Up!, the annual youth-led celebration of Emancipation Day featuring music, theatre, spoken word and dance. More details will be announced soon by the CBC.
Then on Sunday, August 2 and Monday August 3, starting at 8 p.m. (8:30 NT) each night on CBC TV and CBC Gem, CBC will air Ken Burns’ four-hour documentary series Jackie Robinson, which tells the story of the famed Black baseball player who rose from humble origins to break baseball’s colour barrier and waged a fierce lifelong battle for first-class citizenship for all African Americans.
In addition to its special TV programming, CBC announced its new Black Stories Collection showcasing Black creators and stories is available now on the free CBC Gem streaming service.
