Burbank, CA - January 29, 2013 -  KCETLink, the new national independent public media organization created by KCET's recent merger with the Bay Area-based independent media company, Link Media, invites viewers to celebrate Black History Month in February on KCET with several wonderful programs and documentaries that explore the rich history of African Americans in the United States.

See the highlights from The National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Award ceremony held in Memphis, Tenn. on Oct. 16, 2012. Hosted by actress and KCET's Your Turn to Care host Holly Robinson Peete, this year's honorees include: Marlo Thomas, National Outreach Director for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis; Dr. Bernard Lafayette, one of the 1961 Freedom Riders; Muhammad Yunis, who created Grameen Bank, devoted to providing the poorest of Bangladesh with micro-loans; and Dr. Rameck Hunt, Dr. Sampson Davis and Dr. George Jenkins, better known as the Three Doctors. The program also features a musical performance by Patti LaBelle.

This program presents the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) as a microcosm for the Civil Rights Movement in the state and across the nation. In the midst of the Civil Rights Movement, James Meredith became the first black student to enroll at Ole Miss. His application created an uproar that made news around the world and culminated in a deadly riot and federal intervention. Fifty years later, the university is fully integrated and, in 2008, an international spotlight was once again on the university - this time, however, to cover a presidential debate that featured the man who would become America's first black president. From the status quo of 1960 to today, Ole Miss, like America, has grown and changed.

ABOUT KCET

On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. KCET currently produces the Emmy®, duPont-Columbia and Peabody Award-winning SoCal Connected, a hard-hitting prime-time weekly television news program that examines the issues and people of Southern California. Throughout its 48-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org.

ABOUT KCETLink

KCETLink is a donor-supported independent public media organization distributed via satellite nationally on DirecTV and DISH and via broadcast in Southern and Central California. For additional information about KCETLink productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org or linktv.org.

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