APT Nationally Distributes 'The 2020 Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards'

Press release from American Public Television (APT):

Feb. 5, 2021

In celebration of Black History Month this February, many public television stations across the country, including the major markets of Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis and Philadelphia, are planning to air “The 2020 Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards,” an original one-hour special produced in Northeast Ohio by ideastream and presented by the Cleveland Foundation. The program was released February 1 for national distribution by American Public Television (APT) and is being broadcast and livestreamed locally on WVIZ/PBS on February 18 at 10 p.m. It is also available to stream on-demand online with the PBS Video app. “The 2020 Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards” originally premiered on WVIZ/PBS on October 1, 2020.

Hosted by Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., popular public television personality, Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards jury chair, Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist, cultural critic and institution builder, “The 2020 Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards” features visits to the hometowns of the four 2020 Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards honorees — historian Eric Foner, poet Ilya Kaminsky, scholar Charles King and novelist Namwali Serpell. The film also covers the inspiring history of the awards established in 1935 by Cleveland poet and philanthropist Edith Anisfield Wolf. In addition, the program serves to amplify diverse voices and foster dialogue about inclusivity that transcends the digital divide. During the current movement for racial equality, the necessity and relevance of these writings are as great as ever.

Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. said, “This year’s honorees remind us of nothing less than our shared humanity — a reminder sorely needed in these challenging times.”

"We are grateful that the 85-year-old chain of celebrating Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recipients will remain unbroken," said Karen R. Long, manager of the awards. "Thanks to our longtime partners at ideastream, we are able to showcase the four new honorees for viewers everywhere, alongside the inimitable Henry Louis Gates, Jr. And this television special will sit on the right side of the digital divide — accessible to the greatest number of people."

Mark Rosenberger, chief content officer at ideastream, said, “It's truly an honor to partner with the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards to share this program with an expanded audience. The awards and the conversations around them are more relevant than ever."

In addition, ideastream is using its broadcast and digital platforms to continue to honor Black history and celebrate Black Northeast Ohioans. On February 12 at 12 p.m. on Facebook Live, ideastream’s monthly virtual live music series, “Applause Performances,” features two Northeast Ohio soul musicians, Singer Kyle Kidd of the acclaimed Cleveland band Mourning [A] BLKstar and multi-instrumentalist Marcus Alan Ward. On February 12 at 8:30 p.m. on WVIZ/PBS, Cleveland artist Wadsworth Jarrell discusses his new book about the AFRICOBRA movement, which he cofounded, on ideastream’s award-winning television show, “Applause.”

All month long, Black History Month programs are being featured on WVIZ/PBS, the PBS Video app and the member-exclusive streaming service ideastream Passport. “The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song,” an intimate four-hour series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr. exploring the 400-year-old story of the Black church in America airs February 16 and 17 at 9 p.m. ideastream’s radio stations 90.3 WCPN and WCLV 104.9 are featuring special programs about racial equity, Black history and Black achievements throughout February as well. More stories and the complete broadcast schedules are available on ideastream.org.

ideastream president and CEO Kevin E. Martin said, “Showcasing achievements of people of color is core to ideastream’s mission of illuminating the world around us. We’re committed to using our multimedia platforms to share diverse voices and local stories all year long.” Martin continued, “We’re especially proud to feature this special programming in celebration and recognition of Black History Month.”

This press release was produced by American Public Television (APT). The views expressed here are the author's own.