Black History MONTH
Explore this robust collection of KET and national programs honoring key historical events and cultural contributions of African Americans.
Watch a new episode of Inside Louisville
Louisville’s Black History
Come along as we visit Louisville’s Roots 101 African American History Museum with founder and CEO, Lamont Collins. Learn about the important history shared in this museum, created in 2020.
Next, meet Dan Gediman, executive director of Reckoning, Inc., the organization behind several projects highlighting the contributions of African Americans, including a podcast.
The Alice and Wade Houston Story
This KET film chronicles the lives of one of Louisville’s most prominent couples. From their childhoods in Louisville and Alcoa, Tenn., we follow the Houstons as they move from the segregation of their youth to their successes in the arenas of business and sports.
American Experience “Forgotten Hero: Walter White and the NAACP”
The story of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People through the key figures who shaped it and the landmark legal and legislative victories that would forever reshape the country.
American Masters “Sun Ra: Do the Impossible”
A journey through Sun Ra’s life and music, following his jazz foundations, innovative spirit and his artistic and social pursuits.
At Leisure’s Edge: A Journey Through Kentucky’s Historic Black Parks
From 1942 to 1956, Kentucky city park systems were segregated by state mandate. This program looks at seven historically Black parks and explores how the African American communities in Kentucky used these public spaces to construct uplifting community identities despite segregation.
Becoming bell hooks
Explore the life of Kentucky-born author bell hooks, who wrote nearly 40 books and whose work at the intersection of race, class and gender serves as a lasting contribution to the feminist movement.
Black and Jewish America: An Interwoven History
This new four-part docuseries from executive producer, host and writer Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., explores the complex relationship between Black Americans and Jewish Americans – forged in shared struggle, tested by division and representing a uniquely American experience.
Black College Football Hall of Fame: Journey to Canton
This film explores the formation of Black college football, contributions by its players, the founding of its Hall of Fame and why the Hall is in Canton, Ohio.
Black in Blue
Learn the story of four African American football players at the University of Kentucky who broke the color line in the Southeastern Conference in the 1960s.
Connections
Each week, host Renee Shaw and a variety of interesting and engaging people—including business leaders, entertainers, authors, celebrities, and more—explore a broad array of topics impacting Kentucky and the world.
Denzel Washington: American Paradox
A comprehensive review of actor Denzel Washington’s remarkable career and his indelible impact on the film industry.
The Dream Whisperer
The story of the all-Black Tennessee A&I Tigers, the first collegiate basketball team to win three consecutive national championships, and Captain Dick Barnett’s nine-year quest to preserve their legacy.
Eddie Murphy: The Mark Twain Prize
Dave Chappelle, Kathy Griffin, Arsenio Hall, Sam Moore, Kevin Nealon, Trevor Noah, Jay Pharoah, Joe Piscopo, Chris Rock and others salute Eddie Murphy at the 18th Annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize.
Everlasting: Life & Legacy of Medgar Evers
This documentary honors the life, work and impact of one of Mississippi’s most courageous voices, featuring interviews with Medgar Evers’ family, colleagues and historians.
Finding Your Roots
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. uses cutting-edge DNA research and old-school genealogical sleuthing to help some of the nation’s most compelling personalities discover their buried family histories.
Fly Boys: Western Pennsylvania’s Tuskegee Airmen
Learn the story of the brave soldiers who fought for their country during World War II and were deceived as participants of the Tuskegee Airmen Experiment.
The Girl in the Yellow Scarf
The story of a young Black woman murdered in Martinsville, Indiana, in 1968.
Great Leaders: The Black Odyssey of Lyman Johnson
This biography of Kentucky civil rights pioneer Lyman Johnson is told mostly in his own words.
Great Migrations: A People on the Move
This four-part series from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., examines the powerful influence of Black migration on American culture and society.
I’m Goin’ Home
Explore the story of an enslaved person’s journey to freedom on the Underground Railroad, and the brave men and women who helped him make the dangerous 400-mile trip from Senator Henry Clay’s Ashland Estate in Lexington, Kentucky, to Canada.
Independent Lens “The Inquisitor”
Explore the life and legacy of former Rep. Barbara Jordan (Texas), whose sharp intellect and moral clarity transformed U.S. politics.
Jim Crow of the North
The film explores the origins of housing segregation in the Minneapolis area.
Kentucky’s Underground Railroad — Passage to Freedom
Learn about the fugitive slave movement in Kentucky, focusing on those who lived in Kentucky and sought to escape to the North.
The Legacy of Black Horsemen
This KET documentary highlights the often-untold story of Black jockeys, trainers, grooms and exercisers in the 1800s whose contributions helped lay the foundation for the Thoroughbred industry.
Louisville’s Own Ali
Explore the life and times of Muhammad Ali from the perspective of his hometown through interviews with journalists Dave Kindred and Bob Edwards, Gov. John Y. Brown, Mayor Jerry Abramson, Sen. Georgia Davis Powers and others.
POV Shorts “The People Could Fly”
Explore the history of Black gathering spaces in Louisville, Kentucky, from the 1960s to the mid-2000s. Learn how roller rinks evolved into sanctuaries for Black culture.
Roadtrip Nation: Thriving – Black Men in Higher Education
Follow three young Black men as they explore what’s possible for their futures. Then, meet inspiring Black male leaders across a variety of fields, and discover proven supports within higher ed that are already helping Black men succeed.
Statues: This Is What We Stand For?
Racism, white privilege – what do communities choose as symbols? This documentary examines these questions in Louisville, Kentucky, a city grappling with many of the issues that divide our country today.
The Tuskegee Airmen: Return to Ramitelli
The legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of Black military pilots who flew escort for American bombers during World War II; the daughter of one of the pilots visits the remains of the base at Ramitelli in Italy. Narrated by musician Darius Rucker.
Underground: Freedom Stories Along the Borderlands
The documentary explores the growth of abolitionism in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky in the 1800s. The film focuses on events and discussions that occurred at Lane Theological Seminary in the Walnut Hills neighborhood of Cincinnati, as well as in Augusta, Kentucky, and other river communities.
The KET Passport member benefit allows you to watch your favorite programs anytime, on any screen. Learn more about KET Passport.
Becoming Frederick Douglass
Hear the inspiring story of a man born into slavery who transformed himself into one of the most prominent statesmen and influential voices for democracy in American history.
Black College Football Hall of Fame: Journey to Canton
Learn about the formation of Black college football, the contributions by its players, the founding of its Hall of Fame and why the Hall is in Canton, Ohio.
Charley Pride: I’m Just Me
Learn about the complex history of the American South and its music through the life of country star Charley Pride, who was raised in segregated Mississippi.
Chautauqua at 150: Winton Marsalis’ All Rise
Explore the impact of the Chautauqua Institution through this retrospective, anchored by Wynton Marsalis’ orchestral masterpiece.
Denzel Washington: American Paradox
A comprehensive review of actor Denzel Washington’s remarkable career and his indelible impact on the film industry.
Finding Edna Lewis
Explore the life and legacy of Edna Lewis, who left an outsized mark on American culinary history as an early proponent of the farm-to-table movement.
Great Migrations: A People on the Move
This four-part series from Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., examines the powerful influence of Black migration on American culture and society.
Jackie Robinson (Parts 1 & 2)
Robinson rose from humble origins to cross baseball’s color line and become one of the most beloved men in America. A fierce integrationist, Robinson used his fame to speak out against discrimination.
Jazz — A Ken Burns series
Award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns takes an in-depth look at jazz, the most original American art form, in this miniseries.
Jim Crow of the North
Learn about the origins of housing segregation in the Minneapolis area.
Opportunity, Access & Uplift: The Evolving Legacy of HBCUs
Learn about the changes, misconceptions and current state of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Unforgivable Blackness: The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson (Parts 1 & 2)
Follow Jack Johnson’s remarkable journey from his humble beginnings in Galveston, Texas, as the son of former slaves, to the world of professional boxing.