TV One celebrates Black History Month with a full schedule of programming that exemplifies this year’s theme, “REPRESENT THE MOVEMENT.” The network will celebrate the young, “uplifted” and black leaders of the New Civil Rights Movement and what they hope for the future. The four female activists who will be featured in various spots throughout the month include Zyahna Bryant, Brea Baker, Nupol Kiazohu, and Kenidra Woods. Each activist will reflect and give their point of view on today’s most important causes such as women’s rights, criminal justice reform, freedom of speech, LGBTQ rights, racism, immigration and gun control.
TV One will also feature UNSUNG PRESENTS: MUSIC & THE MOVEMENT, a two-hour documentary that airs in two-parts on Wednesday, February 3 starting at 8 p.m. ET/7C. The special honors the artists and songs that have provided the soundtrack to the fight for justice and equality and incorporates first-hand accounts, interviews with artists and media, coupled with archival footage from memorable speeches, soul-stirring vocal performances, and more. The documentary will feature commentary about pivotal movements in Black Americans tumultuous past and troubling present from Erica Campbell, Big Gipp, Raheem DeVaughn, Rev. Al Sharpton, Isaac Hayes III, Ronda Racha Penrice, Headkrack, Shante Paige, DJ Kemit, Dyana Williams, Angie Ange, Colby Colb, Rickey Vincent, Steve Ivory, Delores Thompson, Dave Washington, Billy Johnson, Jr., Kenny Gamble, P. Frank Williams, Keith Murphy, DJ Yella, Battlecat, Soren Baker, and Felicia “Poetess” Morris.
The networks’ Black History Month continues with encore presentation of UNSUNG episodes spotlighting the trailblazing musicians and musical innovators who have impacted music over the past 40 years, including:
UNSUNG: James Brown on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 at 10 p.m./9C
UNSUNG: The Dramatics on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 8 p.m./7C
UNSUNG: David Ruffin on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 9 p.m./8C
UNSUNG: Tammi Terrell on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at 10 p.m./9C
UNSUNG: Teddy Pendergrass on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 8 p.m./7C
UNSUNG: Blue Magic on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 9 p.m./8C
UNSUNG: Switch on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 10 p.m./9C
UNSUNG: Roxanne Shante on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 8 p.m./7C
UNSUNG: Mtume on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 9 p.m./8C
UNSUNG: DeBarge on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 10 p.m./9C
TV One will also pay tribute to the life and career of Cicely Tyson on Saturday, February 20, 2021 at 5 p.m. ET/4C with a special airing of the 1972 classic film, SOUNDER which earned Ms. Tyson an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture. Based on the young adult novel by William H. Armstrong, SOUNDER tells the story of the Morgans, a family of poor black sharecroppers in the Depression-plagued South as they struggle to find enough to eat despite the help of their hunting dog, Sounder. When father Nathan (Paul Winfield) resorts to stealing food, he is captured by police and sent to prison, and his wife, Rebecca (Cicely Tyson), is left to care for their son, David (Kevin Hooks). Though Sounder has run away, David never gives up hope that his dog will return, just as he believes that he will see his father again someday.
Additionally, TV One celebrates Black Love by hosting the network’s “REPRESENT BLACK LOVE” Movie Marathon. On Sunday, February 14 starting at 4 p.m./3C to 11 p.m./10C, the network will broadcast some of the most iconic films in cinematic history such as MAHOGANY, CARMEN JONES, and CLAUDINE.
The love continues with original movie DON’T WASTE YOUR PRETTY which premieres on Sunday, February 28, 2021 at 8 p.m./7C. Based on the eponymous novel penned by award-winning author and media personality Demetria L. Lucas, the film tells the story of tightly knit friends as they sort out their turbulent life and love issues. The cast of DON’T WASTE YOUR PRETTY includes Keri Hilson (“Think Like A Man,” “Almost Christmas”), Deborah Joy Winans(“Greenleaf”), Redaric Williams (“The Yard,” “The Young And The Restless”), Jasmine Burke (“Saints & Sinners”), Kaye Singleton (“American Soul”) and Rainey Branch (“Being Mary Jane,” “Grey’s Anatomy”). The film is directed by Tamara Bass and written by Katrina O’Gilvie (NAACP Image Award nominee for “Behind the Movement”).
MAHOGANY (1975)
Airs Sun. February 14, 2021 at 4 p.m./3C
Struggling Chicago fashion design student Tracy (Diana Ross) goes from rags to riches when a chance meeting with hotshot fashion photographer Sean (Anthony Perkins) in the department store where she works leads to a runway life as a model in Rome. Tracy’s overnight success and strong ambitions bring her professional success as a designer, but her diva antics may destroy her relationship with social activist Brian (Billy Dee Williams), as well as her respect in the fashion world.
CARMEN JONES (1954)
Airs Sun. February 14, 2021 at 6:30 p.m./5:30C
Synopsis: The tale of the cigarette-maker Carmen and the Spanish cavalry soldier Don Jose is translated into a modern-day story of a parachute factory worker and a stalwart GI named Joe (Harry Belafonte) who is about to go to flying school. Conflict arises when a prize-ring champ captures the heart of Carmen (Dorothy Dandridge) after she has seduced Joe and caused him to go AWOL.
CLAUDINE (1974)
Airs Sun. February 14, 2021 at 9 p.m./8C
Claudine (Diahann Carroll) is a single mother in New York City who endures an exhausting commute to the suburbs where she works as a maid for wealthy families. In one carefully tended white community, she meets Roop (James Earl Jones), a charismatic but irresponsible garbage collector. Romance quickly ensues, but Claudine doubts that their relationship is good for her six children, and Rupert, despite his good nature, is reluctant to take on fatherhood.
DON’T WASTE YOUR PRETTY (2021)
Premieres Sun. February 28, 2021 at 9 p.m./7C
After years of extreme career focus, Mykah (Hilson) finally stops making excuses and starts looking for love. Encouraged by her best friends, Mykah embraces the dating scene by taking their suggestions on speed dating, making online connections, and hitting the nightlife, but soon discovers love might be right in front of her. The recent divorcée Jeanné (Wynans) has put the idea of love on ice but has to decide if the burning flame from Mykah’s twin brother Michael (Williams) is warm enough to melt her heart again. Fun-loving, married couple Amma (Singleton) and Aisha (Burke) are #couplegoals of the group but struggle to strike a balance as they embark on their parenthood journey. When jobs, romance, and family interactions prove more complicated than they had ever anticipated, the group of friends knows they can always turn to one another to figure out their next move.
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