WGN Chicago Celebrates Black History Month

Throughout the month of February, Tribune Broadcasting’s CW affiliate WGN Chicago (DMA 3) will air special news segments on WGN News at Nine, WGN Midday News and People to People celebrating Black History Month.

Tuesday, Feb. 3 — Chicago’s Connection to Selma

Audiences and the Academy Awards alike have high praise for the film, Selma.  Many Chicagoans joined Martin Luther King, Jr. on the front lines in the fight for civil rights. WGN News will hear from some of Chicago’s very own who marched in the movement to make a difference in American history.

Friday, Feb. 6 — Chicago’s Very Own: Ben Toles

Ben Toles is the general manager of the B. Coleman Aviation Center in Gary, Ind.  He started working at the very bottom of the aviation world and eventually worked his way up to general manager of his very own aviation center. He is carrying on the legacy of Bessie Coleman, the first female pilot of African American descent and the first African American to hold an international pilot license.

Tuesday, Feb. 10 — South Side Community Arts Center: A Piece of History

This 74-year-old cultural anchor of the community has been serving black artists for three-quarters of a century; supporting their works, mentoring their creativity and assisting them as they seek to flourish artistically. Opened during the Great Depression as a WPA project to help artists, the SSCAC is the oldest center of its kind in the country. WGN News takes a look at what they are up to now and how they have made a difference in the community.

Friday, Feb, 13 — Chicago’s Very Own: Homer Bryant

Homer Bryant is a ballet teacher and founder of the Chicago Multi-Cultural Dance Center. He has trained many prominent Chicagoans, including Sasha and Malia Obama, and superstars such as Lady Gaga. Much of his work focuses on kids in need, assisting with classes and providing pointe shoes. He also works with special needs children, and has even trained students who are in wheelchairs.

Tuesday, Feb. 17 — Three Generations of Basketball

WGN News meets one of DePaul University’s shining stars, Billy Garrett, Jr.  He was the 2014 Big East Rookie of the Year and his ties to basketball run deep. His grandfather was the first African American to play basketball in the Big Ten and his dad is currently an assistant basketball coach at DePaul.

Tuesday, Feb. 24 — Getting Healthy

WGN News features Dr. Courtney Hollowell, head of urology and surgery at Stroger Hospital. Dr. Hollowell also runs a series of community gatherings aimed at African American men to encourage them to focus on their health, as well as diseases commonly found to affect them: diabetes, prostate cancer and high blood pressure.