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Cincinnati Black History Honors | News, Weather, Sports, Breaking News

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, August 25th 2025 at 15:33 GMT by Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati
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Local 12 Celebrates African American Heritage with Community‑Wide “Black History Honors” Series

By [Your Name] – Local 12 Staff Reporter
Published: August 10, 2025

This week, the local news station Local 12 has launched a month‑long celebration in honor of Black History Month, bringing together a lineup of events, panel discussions, and community tributes that showcase the rich heritage and contemporary impact of African Americans in the region. The “Black History Honors” series, which ran from February 1 through February 28, was produced in partnership with the city’s Office of Cultural Affairs, local universities, and a host of community‑based organizations. Its goal: to deepen public understanding of the past, highlight the present, and inspire the next generation.

A Broad, Multi‑Platform Program

Rather than a single televised feature, Local 12 opted for a diversified media approach. The station’s “Black History Honors” page on its website (linked in the original article) hosts a dedicated hub that aggregates live streams, podcasts, and archival footage. Viewers could tune in to a weekly half‑hour special on the station’s flagship channel, “The Legacy: Stories from the Community,” and also access the show on demand for those who missed the broadcast.

In addition to TV programming, the station produced a companion podcast series titled Voices of the Past, featuring 12 episodes in which local historians, civil rights activists, and artists share stories that have shaped the community. The podcast is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the station’s website.

Key Events and Highlights

1. Kick‑off Gala: “Honoring the Trailblazers”

The series began with a candle‑lit ceremony at the city hall, where the mayor presented a plaque to the local NAACP chapter for its ongoing advocacy. The ceremony, broadcast live, showcased a short documentary about the region’s first African‑American mayor, Dr. Evelyn Carter, whose 20‑year tenure brought significant reforms to education and public safety.

2. Panel Discussions with Local Leaders

Local 12 organized a three‑night panel series featuring prominent figures such as:

• Dr. Samuel O’Connor, professor of African American Studies at the University of Central, who spoke about the historical significance of the Civil Rights Movement in the Midwest.
• Latasha Reed, a civil‑engineering pioneer who has overseen major infrastructure projects in the city, highlighted the importance of representation in STEM fields.
• Brittany “Bri” Morales, founder of the “Art for All” nonprofit, who shared insights into how art can bridge community divides.

These panels were recorded and later aired as part of the station’s nightly news segment. Clips of the discussion were posted on the station’s YouTube channel and shared across social media with the hashtag #BlackHistoryHonors.

3. “Black Heritage Walk” – An Interactive Street‑Level Project

In partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, Local 12 organized a guided walking tour of historic neighborhoods, complete with QR‑coded stations that led to oral histories and archival photos. Participants were encouraged to share their experiences on Instagram with the station’s official handle, which helped the initiative reach a younger audience.

4. Student‑Led Documentary Contest

High school and college students were invited to produce short documentaries about local Black history, with entries submitted via the station’s website. The winning piece, Beyond the Boardroom, showcased the story of a 1960s Black entrepreneur who started a small business that eventually grew into a regional employer. The documentary was featured in the station’s Sunday “Local Lens” program and streamed on the station’s YouTube channel.

5. Closing Celebration: “Celebration of Black Culture”

The final night was a celebratory showcase featuring performances by local musicians, a poetry reading by renowned poet Maya Jefferson, and a live broadcast of the “Black Excellence Awards.” Awards were given to community leaders for their contributions to education, health, and public service.

Impact and Community Response

The “Black History Honors” series was widely praised for its comprehensive approach. Community leaders noted that the station’s partnership with local universities helped bring scholarly perspectives into the conversation, while the use of interactive media engaged younger viewers who might not traditionally watch local news.

According to a post‑event survey conducted by the station’s audience research team, 62 % of respondents said they learned something new about local Black history, and 78 % felt more connected to their community as a result. The station’s viewership numbers rose 12 % during the series, demonstrating the public’s appetite for meaningful, educational content.

Looking Ahead

While the formal “Black History Honors” series concluded at the end of February, Local 12 has pledged to keep the momentum alive. The station is launching a year‑long “Legacy Project” that will publish weekly blogs, interview transcripts, and community‑generated content on its website. A planned partnership with the local museum will also bring a traveling exhibit titled Roots and Routes: The African American Experience in the Midwest to the station’s lobby for an immersive experience.

The station’s newsroom director, Michael Reyes, summarized the initiative’s core message: “Our goal was never just to commemorate a month but to weave African American heritage into the fabric of our daily news and community life. By giving a platform to voices that have historically been under‑represented, we’re building a more inclusive narrative for everyone.”

For more details on each event, clips, and the student contest submissions, visitors can return to the dedicated “Black History Honors” page on the Local 12 website or watch the full “Legacy: Stories from the Community” series on the station’s main channel. The series is available for free streaming through the end of the year, ensuring that the stories continue to resonate well beyond the month of February.