This Week on American Black Journal

The Best of ‘American Black Journal’ in 2022

We’re welcoming in 2023 with a look back at some of American Black Journal’s thought-provoking conversations and interesting guests from the past year. Host Stephen Henderson takes a look at key stories and conversations focusing on racial disparities, police brutality, arts and culture, and the show’s Black Church in Detroit series. 

Henderson revisits conversations about the killings of two unarmed Black men by white police officers: Patrick Lyoya died after being shot by a Grand Rapids cop, and 2022 marked the 30th anniversary of the murder of Malice Green by two Detroit police officers. We’ll also hear about a study that revealed Black motorists were stopped by Michigan State Police at a disproportionately higher rate than other racial groups. 

We’ll show a host of African American arts and culture stories, including Henderson’s conversation with Detroit-born playwright Dominique Morisseau about her musical, “Ain’t Too Proud,” the story of The Temptations. We’ll also hear portions of interviews with ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and 2022 Kresge Eminent Artist Olayami Dabls. 

We’ll hear about the rich history of Black cowboys and cowgirls and the popularity of Black rodeos today. Plus, a sample of music from violinist Leslie DeShazor, one of last year’s Detroit Jazz Festival performers. 

And finally, highlights from The Black Church in Detroit series that focused on COVID’s impact on the church; a rare interview with Church of God in Christ Presiding Bishop J. Drew Sheard and his wife, gospel great Karen Clark-Sheard; and a segment exploring the connection between Gospel music and the Blues. 

 

Watch the full clips featured in this episode:

Patrick Lyoya and police reform: A roundtable with the NAACP and Black Lives Matter Detroit

Reflecting on the 30th anniversary of the murder of Malice Green

Study shows Black drivers were stopped by Michigan State Police at disproportionately high rates

Playwright Dominique Morisseau brings ‘Ain’t Too Proud’ musical to Detroit where it all began

Fundraising Gala celebrates legacy of WGPR-TV 62, America’s first Black-owned TV station

2022 Kresge Eminent Artist award presented to Detroit artist Olayami Dabls

Black cowboys & cowgirls: The cultural history behind the Black rodeo

The Leslie DeShazor Quintet performs at the Dirty Dog Jazz Café

The Black Church in Detroit: Black church worship during the COVID-19 pandemic

Bishop J. Drew Sheard and Karen Clark Sheard talk C.O.G.I.C. leadership, The Clark Sisters

The sacred and the secular: How gospel music grew from the Blues

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Watch American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.