Overview:
• The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center received an Emmy Award for their docuseries Black History Honors, celebrating the lives of Underground Railroad freedom activists, broadcast in over 200 television markets and produced by Central City Productions and the Stellar Network.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center recently added an Emmy Award to its collections. The Freedom Center was recognized at the 60th Annual Ohio Valley Regional Emmy Awards in the Entertainment – Short or Long Form Content category for the four-part docuseries Black History Honors The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, produced by Central City Productions and the Stellar Network, directed by acclaimed director Alphonzo “Zo” Wesson III.
“Since 1995 the NURFC has been promoting inclusive freedom for all, building on the principles of the Underground Railroad of courage, cooperation and perseverance. And I want to thank the Stellar TV team and the maestro Zo Wesson for bringing this creative idea to us to tell a more complete and inclusive American history by honoring Black history,” National Underground Railroad Freedom Center President & COO Woodrow Keown, Jr. said while accepting the award.
Black History Honors The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center was produced by Central City Productions and the Stellar Network as part of their inaugural Black History Honors series. The program celebrates the lives and legacies of the Underground Railroad freedom activists, including well-known leaders Harriet Tubman and Sojourner Truth as well as lesser-known figures, including Jermain Wesley Loguen, Henry “Box” Brown, Robert Smalls and William Still. Prominent local figures John Parker, John and Jean Rankin and Margaret Garner also featured large in the program. In addition to filming exclusively at the Freedom Center, the program also featured some Freedom Center staff portraying the historic freedom activists.
On his decision to feature the Freedom Center in the inaugural program, Don Jackson, Chairman & CEO of Central City Productions and Founder & Chairman of the Stellar Network, said, “I was committed not just to doing a Black history special, but to do it here where we can showcase that Black history and Black museums matter.”
Black History Honors the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center was broadcast in over 200 television markets. In addition to biographies and reenactments of freedom heroes, the series featured musical tributes from award-winning gospel music artists.
Freedom Center President & COO Woodrow Keown, Jr. accepted the Emmy Award along with:
• Alphonzo “Zo” Wesson III, director
• Carissa Ray, co-producer
• Kacie Champion, script supervisor
• Don Jackson, Chairman & CEO, Central City Productions and Founder & Chairman, Stellar Network
• Jennifer Jackson, President & COO, Central City Productions and Stellar Network
• Teresa Hairston-Jackson, writer
• Michael Johnson, music producer
“We are deeply honored to receive this Emmy Award,” said Kacie Champion, President/CEO of Power Me Media, “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, as well as the invaluable contributions of everyone involved in making Black History Honors a success. We are committed to continuing our mission of educating and inspiring future generations through the power of storytelling.”
“The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center serves as a beacon of hope and a center for learning the history of true American heroes, both Black and White, and the ongoing fight for freedom and equality.” said Champion. “Our collaboration with the Freedom Center has been instrumental in bringing these important stories to a wider audience and fostering a deeper understanding of our shared history.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for this incredible honor and Central City Productions for being the catalyst. This Emmy Award is not only a recognition of our efforts but also a reminder of the enduring power of true American history and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.