A new program from the BET and CBS News teams will put news and features that affect the Black community on center stage through storytelling that honors the complexity and nuances of Black America.

BET and CBS News announced Jan. 27 that they teamed up to produce America in Black, a new monthly one-hour prime-time newsmagazine that premiers Feb. 19 at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

Executive produced by Alvin Patrick for CBS News and Jason Samuels for BET, America In Black goes beyond the headlines to illuminate and elevate issues that too often get buried and spotlights celebrities for original profiles and interviews – all from a unique and distinctively Black point of view.

“Black storytelling is at the core of BET, and we couldn’t be more excited to present ‘America In Black,’” Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, said in a statement.

“Shining a light on the untold stories that affect our community, 'America In Black' provides unique opportunities to address timely issues affecting our community most, from the censorship of Black history in schools to the use of rap lyrics in criminal proceedings.”

Censorship of Black history is a growing concern. With another Black History Month on the horizon, scores of educators continue to face the challenge of how to present Black history lessons in their classrooms. In 2022, at least 13 states passed laws or directives that limit how teachers talk about race in America, creating a climate of fear and a whitewash of historic systemic racism in America.

The use of rap lyrics at criminal trials has hip hop artists protesting the tactic as a double standard. For example, in a 2014 case the American Civil Liberties Union found that courts used defendants rap lyrics in their music nearly 80 percent of the time.

Orlando said the show assembles “heavy-hitting subject-matter experts and trusted voices under the banners of BET News and CBS News” to unpack and analyze the issues.

The show features an All-Star lineup of award-winning journalists, including CBS Mornings co-hosts Gayle King, The NFL Today host James Brown, BET News anchor and correspondent Marc Lamont Hill​, and former BET News anchor Ed Gordon, who returns to the network after an 18-year hiatus.

Patrick, who is also executive producer of CBS News Streaming Originals and Race & Culture, said CBS News is proud to partner with BET News.

“We will cover the complexity of the Black experience with compelling storytelling that has always been the hallmark of CBS News,” Patrick said in a statement. “The monthly newsmagazine format allows us the ability to report in depth on important stories that shape the culture of Black America."

Incisive storytelling for America in Black comes from a team of experienced correspondents:  CBS Mornings national correspondent and CBS News Streaming Network anchor Vladimir Duthiers; CBS Saturday Morning co-host Michelle Miller; CBS Weekend news anchors Jericka Duncan and Adriana Diaz; CBS News streaming anchor and national correspondent Errol Barnett; CBS News correspondents Skyler Henry and Danya Bacchus, and Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Wesley Lowery​.​

Where To Watch

In addition to the monthly premiere on BET, BET Her, and VH1, America In Black is available across BET and CBS’ platforms, including BET+ and the CBS News Streaming Network.

Individual stories will also live on various Paramount Global digital and social platforms.