In a celebration of the enduring impact and leadership fostered by Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), HBCU Week NOW and Maryland Public Television (MPT) are joining forces to present Celebrating & Preserving the HBCU Legacy, a virtual event taking place on Thursday, March 6, at 7 p.m. eastern time.
This interactive screening and panel discussion will highlight pivotal moments in HBCU history, showcase student-led movements, and offer an exclusive first look at an upcoming PBS documentary on Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
The event will feature two compelling short films, each focusing on the legacy of student activism and leadership at HBCUs.
“Morehouse: We Expect Nothing Less” explores how current Morehouse College student leaders continue the tradition of excellence and activism inspired by legendary former Morehouse president Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, who mentored civil rights icons such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Six Days of Determination” tells the powerful story of the 1990 Morgan State University student protest, the largest in Maryland’s history, which ultimately led to $1.5 billion in campus construction and renovations at Morgan State and helped pave the way for a $500 million state investment in Maryland’s public HBCUs.
Following the screenings, a live panel discussion will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to hear firsthand insights from individuals directly involved in the stories told in the films.
The panel will include filmmakers, student leaders, and prominent Morgan State alumni such as media personality Joe Clair, attorney Nicole Love Kelly, and physicist William Powell. The discussion will be moderated by Travis Mitchell, a 1992 Morgan State graduate and a leader in public media.
As an added bonus, the event will conclude with an exclusive sneak peek of “Becoming Thurgood,” an upcoming PBS documentary produced by MPT.
The film explores the early life and legal journey of Thurgood Marshall, from his upbringing in Baltimore to his education at Lincoln University and Howard University, leading to his historic appointment as the first Black U.S. Supreme Court Justice.
The preview will be accompanied by a discussion with the film’s director and producer, Alexis Aggrey, a Norfolk State University graduate.
This free virtual event is open to the public, but registration is required to receive the viewing link. Interested attendees can register at this link.