Watch this space for more details; We’ll be showing another episode of It’s the Economy, NY on April 23 at 8pm. Guests TBA.

Meet the local heroes profiled in the Now on PBS book Your America and watch video of their inspiring stories. 7 of the 12 are women, engaged in everything from ending domestic abuse, forcing chemical companies to stop dumping, and whistleblowing on Halliburton. See all stories…

In between his Oscar-nominated role as Jack Jefferson in The Great White Hope, and as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars, James Earl Jones hosted a 1973 television series called Black Omnibus. Combining both interview and performance segments, the series, which only lasted 12 episodes, featured an eclectic range of prominent African-American musicians, [...]

March is Women’s History Month–but we’d like to shine a light on women of immense accomplishment, fortitude and inspiration, though not an equal amount of recognition. From Bill Moyers, Maria Hinojosa, Judy Woodruff, Lidia Bastianich, Martin Savidge, Tom Stewart and Paula Zahn: their personal unsung heroines.

Though born into wealth, Mrs. Bolton was a pioneer in Nursing Advocacy, kept 14 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1940-68), and was the first woman Representative to the U.N. Read more about her life and work.

Described by Inside Bedford-Stuyvesant producer Charles Hobson as one of the program’s “most-requested pieces”, this video features the Leroi Jones Young Spirit House Movers and Players delivering a jaw-droppingly powerful spoken-word performance. Watch now.

Soul! was a spectacular NET production that aired from 1968-1973. We’ll be putting up as many episodes as we can from the program–we’re up to six episodes so far. Watch Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Tito Puente, Ashford & Simpson, Earth, Wind & Fire, and many more on the show.

Historian Gayle Wald provides a fascinating overview of the history of WNET black variety show Soul! and how it was shaped by the show’s iconoclast producer/host Ellis Haizlip.

This week Gov. David Paterson talks with Andrew Ross Sorkin about New York state’s finances and what the stimulus package will mean for New York. Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi explains how his county — the second wealthiest in New York state — will try to reinvent itself amid demographic shifts and the financial crisis. [...]

Starting in 1968, Detroit public TV station WTVS produced an African-American news/public affairs show called Colored People’s Time (CPT). The show’s mission was to build more community involvement among Detroit’s largely African-American urban population. Watch segments from the show….