A Conversation with Stanley Nelson

This special episode of “American Black Journal” – Detroit Public Television’s landmark weekly news show – features a special, in-depth conversation with award-winning filmmaker, Stanley Nelson. He will discuss his career, his mission as a chronicler of the Black experience and his most recent documentary, “Tell Them We Are Rising,” which traces the rich history and enduring influence of America’s historically Black colleges and universities.

This conversation took place at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History after a public screening of his documentary on historically black colleges and universities in this country. In a wide-ranging and insightful interview, we gain a personal understanding of this outstanding filmmaker, his approach to his subject matter and what it means for Black artists to control the narrative surrounding their community’s experiences and vision for the future.

It is compelling viewing, the kind you will only find on public television and the kind that DPTV has been proud to bring you for half a century on “American Black Journal.”

Born out of the Detroit rebellion of 1967, a time of social upheaval and racial unrest, “American Black Journal” was created to give the Black community a meaningful media platform and a greater voice in the issues that affected its quality of life.

Nelson has won numerous awards for his documentary treatments of Black American life and culture – including “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution,” “The Murder of Emmett Till,” and “Freedom Riders.”

“Tell Them We Are Rising” captures the rich history of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), which began before the end of slavery, flourished in the 20th century, and profoundly influenced the course of the nation for over 150 years. Yet it remains largely unknown.

Join the conversation online about Nelson’s landmark films and inspiring career using the hashtag #HBCUrising and tagging @amblackjournal.