New York, NY – February 1, 2021 – AMC Networks is honoring Black History Month with the launch of its 8th annual, award-winning Black History Month Public Service Announcement campaign, in partnership with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). The spots will begin airing on Monday, February 1st at 6pm ET with a simultaneous premiere across the company’s national networks, including AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and streaming service ALLBLK and run throughout February. Exclusive social media content featuring CBC members, AMC Networks’ show talent, and Derrick Johnson, President of the NAACP, will also be showcased throughout the month.
The PSA campaign features U.S. Members of Congress from the CBC sharing stories about the importance of celebrating Black History not only in February but all year long while also highlighting social issues impacting the Black community and American society at large. Central themes of this year’s campaign include harnessing the power of storytelling to drive social change, seizing a moment of public reckoning to bring justice and healing, and championing diversity every day of the year. The spots are introduced by AMC Networks talent, Colman Domingo, actor/director/writer/producer, and star of AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead,” and Vanessa Simmons, actor/entrepreneur and star of WE tv’s “Growing Up Hip Hop.” Amidst the challenges of COVID-19 and to ensure the health and safety of the crew and members of Congress, the PSAs were filmed remotely and virtually.
“As we celebrate Black History Month and the 50th anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus, AMC Networks is honored to provide a platform for our country’s leaders to share their inspiring stories,” said Josh Sapan, President and Chief Executive Officer of AMC Networks. ” At AMC Networks, we are committed to celebrating Black history and culture by embracing and enhancing diversity and inclusion in front of and behind the camera and in our business all year long.”
“Black History Month is a unique opportunity to celebrate the many contributions of Black people, past and present, and it’s important to remember that Black history is American history.” said Aisha Thomas-Petit, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at AMC Networks. “AMC Networks will embrace the themes of the campaign throughout the year as we deepen our commitment to building a more inclusive workforce and telling authentic stories that show a full spectrum of the human experience.”
This year’s PSA series contains four thematic spots that will air throughout February, including:
- “Black History: All Day, Every Day”: A discussion on why we celebrate the history, modern-day experience, and contributions of Black people every day of the year. Featuring Representatives Alma Adams, G.K. Butterfield, Hank Johnson, and Lucy McBath.
- “Celebrating Black History through Storytelling”: A look at the unique power of storytelling and the creative arts to bring about social change. Featuring Representatives Alma Adams, André Carson, Hank Johnson, and Lucy McBath.
- “50th Anniversary of the Congressional Black Caucus”: A look at the CBC’s accomplishments since its founding in 1971 and how its mission has evolved over 50 years. Featuring Representatives Alma Adams, G.K. Butterfield, and Lucy McBath.
- “Social Justice”: How we can bring justice and healing to our society during a moment of public reckoning around systemic racism. Featuring Representatives G.K. Butterfield, André Carson, Lucy McBath, and Hank Johnson.
Additionally, AMC Networks will celebrate Black History Month across its linear networks and streaming platforms with special programming events, collections, and custom digital content. Streaming platform AMC+ will launch a “Black Stories & Storytellers” collection available all month long, featuring acclaimed documentaries “The Stand,” “Lynch: A History,” and “A Ballerina’s Tale;” powerful dramas “Memphis,” “Our Song,” and “Medicine for Melancholy;” and featured series including SundanceTV’s “Brick City,” AMC’s “Hip Hop: The Songs that Shook America,” IFC Original “Sherman’s Showcase: Black History Month Spectacular,” and Shudder original documentary “Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror.”
ALLBLK, the first streaming service created for Black TV and film, will be premiering new originals and acclaimed films all month long, including original series “Double Cross” season 2, “A House Divided” season 3, unscripted series “A Closer Look with Eric Benét,” and new original comedy series “Millennials;” classic films such as “South Central” and “The Jacksons: An American Dream;” independent films “Blueprint,” “For Ahkeem,” “My First Love,” and “A Boy. A Girl. A Dream,” “Lila and Eve;” and feature short film “88.”
In addition, SundanceTV will showcase the historical 1977 miniseries “Roots,” while WE tv will offer a robust calendar of digital and social content including the video series “WE tv and Modern Day History Makers” featuring Black leaders and artists who are currently making history, “#FridayFacts” a social hashtag focusing on critical moments in Black history, and “A Movement, Not a Moment,” a digital video exclusive featuring “Growing Up Hip Hop” talent reflecting on the recent social justice movement.
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About AMC Networks
AMC Networks is a global entertainment company known for its popular and critically-acclaimed content. Its portfolio of brands includes AMC, BBC AMERICA (operated through a joint venture with BBC Studios), IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, IFC Films, and a number of fast-growing streaming services, including the AMC+ premium streaming bundle, Acorn TV, Shudder, Sundance Now and ALLBLK (formerly branded “UMC”). AMC Studios, the Company’s in-house studio, production and distribution operation, is behind award-winning owned series and franchises, including The Walking Dead, the highest-rated series in cable history. The Company also operates AMC Networks International, its international programming business, and Levity Entertainment Group, its production services and comedy venues business.