Black Activism and Public TV

Public television has long served as a platform for marginalized communities to share stories, elevate voices, and challenge dominant narratives. In California, Black communities used public TV as a powerful medium to report on social justice issues and spotlight struggles often overlooked by mainstream media. Throughout the late 20th century, public television stations in cities like Los Angeles, Oakland, and San Francisco became essential outlets for Black journalists, activists, and educators to address systemic racism, police brutality, housing discrimination, and the fight for civil rights. These efforts not only empowered local communities but also contributed to the broader national conversation on racial justice.

The Role of Public Television

Public television in California was initially designed to offer educational content, often funded through federal grants and state support. As commercial media became increasingly dominated by profit-driven content, public television offered space for deeper discussions about culture, politics, and social justice. For Black communities in California, public TV provided a means to directly challenge harmful stereotypes perpetuated by the mainstream press and to share stories of resistance and resilience.

Shows focused on Black issues often aired on stations affiliated with the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), including KQED in San Francisco, KCET in Los Angeles, and KTEH (now KQEH) in San Jose. These stations were key in producing and distributing content that reflected the Black experience in California. The shows that aired tackled a range of issues, from the civil rights movement to local activism, the arts, and Black identity.

“Like It Is” on KCET

One of the earliest examples of Black programming on California public television was Like It Is, a public affairs show that aired on KCET in Los Angeles during the 1960s and 1970s. Hosted by Ossie Davis, the show was designed to explore the experiences of Black Americans and to offer a corrective to the biased portrayals found on commercial television. Like It Is covered a wide range of issues relevant to the Black community, including civil rights, housing, education, and police violence.

The program often featured interviews with key figures in the Black liberation movement, both nationally and locally. Community leaders, politicians, and cultural figures were given a platform to speak. Throughout his career, Ossie Davis was intimately aware of the impact these stories held. In his own words,

Any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change. It can not only move us, it makes us move.

“Black Journal” and Its Influence

Black Journal, which aired nationally on PBS stations, including those in California, became a groundbreaking show in Black media. Premiering in 1968 in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Black Journal was the first national television program produced by Black journalists. The show offered a radical shift from the mainstream media’s often-negative portrayal of African Americans and allowed Black people to tell their own stories.

In California, Black Journal resonated with local viewers by addressing issues such as the Watts Rebellion of 1965, police brutality, and the growing Black Power movement. The show’s segments often featured activism and advocacy from Black communities in major Californian cities like Los Angeles and Oakland. By presenting the struggles and achievements of Black communities across the country, Black Journal encouraged viewers to engage in the fight for justice on a local level.

“Soul Beat” on KDIA-TV

In Oakland, public television served as a lifeline for Black residents who felt sidelined by the local media. Soul Beat, a locally produced network in the 1970s and 1980s, was a major outlet for Black expression in the Bay Area. Founded by Chauncey Bailey, a journalist who would later be tragically murdered in 2007, Soul Beat featured interviews with local activists, musicians, and cultural figures. The program quickly became a hub for Black cultural and political life in Oakland, offering viewers a space to explore topics such as police misconduct, gentrification, and economic inequality.

Unlike mainstream news outlets, Soul Beat was rooted in the community, and its stories reflected the lived experiences of Oakland’s Black residents. Bailey’s vision was to use television as a medium for liberation, providing a counter-narrative to the often-negative portrayals of Black life in Oakland. The network frequently highlighted community-led initiatives, including efforts to improve housing conditions and organize against police brutality.

“Neighborhood Voices” on KQED

KQED in San Francisco also played a critical role in broadcasting content that centered Black voices. The station’s Neighborhood Voices was an innovative public affairs program that explored issues affecting communities of color in the Bay Area. The show’s format allowed local residents to share their stories, speak about their struggles, and discuss solutions to the challenges they faced. Topics ranged from housing discrimination to public health, police reform, and education.

Through shows like Neighborhood Voices, KQED provided an important space for Black communities in the Bay Area to discuss their experiences and advocate for change. This local approach to storytelling was key in mobilizing efforts for social justice, particularly in cities like San Francisco, where Black residents were increasingly being displaced by gentrification and redevelopment projects.

“Say Brother” and its California Viewership

Though it was primarily produced in Boston, Say Brother became one of the most influential Black programs on public television, with a dedicated viewership in California. The show aired nationally on PBS, including KQED and KCET, and covered a wide range of topics related to Black culture, politics, and activism. Its influence extended to California’s Black communities, where its stories about racial justice, economic inequality, and the arts resonated deeply.

Say Brother featured interviews with prominent Black leaders, artists, and intellectuals, including figures from California’s Black Panther Party. The show’s radical approach to storytelling and its emphasis on Black empowerment aligned closely with the political climate of the time, particularly in Oakland, where the Panthers were based.

The Legacy of Public TV in Black Activism

The use of public television by Black communities in California was instrumental in shaping the narrative around social justice issues. These programs offered a counterbalance to the often-hostile coverage seen in mainstream media, giving Black voices the space to articulate their own experiences and solutions. From Like It Is and Black Journal to Soul Beat and Neighborhood Voices, these shows played a crucial role in elevating the stories of Black Californians and their struggles for equality.

Today, the legacy of these pioneering public television programs continues to influence media activism. Contemporary efforts to use platforms like YouTube, podcasts, and digital storytelling draw on the same principles of community empowerment and narrative control that were foundational to public television’s Black programming in California. As the fight for racial justice persists, these programs serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of media representation in the struggle for equity and liberation.