WS Chronicle

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK — UNC-TV Public Media North Carolina recently produced a pair of special elections-oriented programs as part of its Black Issues Forum brand. Public Media North Carolina Producer/Host Deborah Holt Noel (Black Issues Forum, North Carolina Weekend) moderated the two specials taped live at the North Carolina A&T State University Alumni-Foundation Event Center in Greensboro.

In the first look at local elections, “Black Issues ForumWhat Matters in Election 2018,” premiering today, Thursday, Nov.1, at 9:30 p.m., panelists including Greensboro City Council member Sharon Hightower, McCants Communications Group President Gerry McCants and Rev. Wesley Jarel Morris, pastor of Faith Community Church and director of the Beloved Organizing, Training & Healing Initiative (BOTHI) at The Beloved Community Center, discussed issues in play during the midterm elections, particularly what they mean for historically underheard communities. Funding for “Black Issues ForumWhat Matters in Election 2018” was provided in part by AARP North Carolina.

At 10 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 1, the hourlong “Battleground Election: A Black Issues Forum Special,” also hosted by Noel, premieres. This lively, town hall-style program featured an audience of prominent community members, including retired N.C. Supreme Court Justice Henry Frye and the N.C. A&T Student Body President Delaney P. Vandergrift (granddaughter of Dr. Paul F. Vandergrift, who created Black Issues Forum in 1987), and a panel which included former District 72 State Rep. Ed Hanes, Rev. Odell Cleveland of Greensboro’s Mount Zion Baptist Church and community leader, NC A&T State University Office of Student Development Director of Leadership & Engagement Sharon Hoard and Braxton Brewington, NCA&T State University senior and a fellow with Common Cause.

Noel and the panelists discussed such issues as job creation, Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, equal pay/living wage equity, elections and voting. Additionally, the town hall format includes input from attendees.

In addition to their Thursday, Nov. 1, premieres, program encores will help ensure that citizens across North Carolina will have several opportunities to see the programs. “Black Issues ForumWhat Matters in Election 2018” encores Sunday, Nov.4, at 11:30 a.m. (UNC-TV), and 6 p.m. (North Carolina Channel) and Monday, Nov. 5, at 5 p.m. (UNC-TV), and 9 a.m. (North Carolina Channel). “Battleground Election: A Black Issues Forum Special” encores Sunday, Nov. 4, at 1 p.m. (UNC-TV), 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. (North Carolina Channel). It will also air on the North Carolina Channel, Saturday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m. Additionally, both shows can be streamed on demand at unc.tv/election.

On air, online and in person, UNC-TV Public Media North Carolina connects North Carolinians to each other, the world and endless possibilities. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the statewide network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery, and four over-the-air channels—UNC-TV PBS & More, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS and the Explorer Channel.

Additionally, it provides emergency services support for the state and free educational services and resources for teachers.

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