WCIU Celebrates Black History Month With Special

Weigel Broadcasting’s independent WCIU Chicago (DMA 3) and Chicago hip-hop artist Che “Rhymefest” Smith are again collaborating for Black History Month with a special broadcast, Black History: The Movement.

The half-hour special premieres Sunday, Feb. 4, at 12:30 p.m. Its focus broadens the conversation of being Black in America, and works to answer the question: What does it mean to be free?

Included are a series of in-depth interviews between Che and leaders from Ghanaian, Mexican, Haitian and local black communities spotlighting the individual struggle for independence in their native lands, and its correlation to the continued fight for freedom as an American.

“This project was community driven,” said Che. “Whether it’s the Ghanaian community or the Haitian community who fought for their independence hundreds of years ago, if we broaden our definition of blackness, we can learn a lot from people who already won the struggles that we’re currently going through. It’s about opening up that conversation and adding to collective numbers here in America to build stronger communities.”

Steve Bailey, WCIU’s head of local programming and creative, said: “We’re taking a non-traditional approach to celebrating Black History Month this year, showcasing the different walks of life and perspectives of the community. Our goal is to create a forum where we can all learn, understand and move forward as one.”

WCIU’s weekday morning show, The Jam, will air portions of the special every Thursday in February, beginning Feb. 1.