WNCU Radio will host a Facebook Live conversation with prominent pastors in the community and air a special music series featuring well-known local gospel artists in connection with “The Black Church: This is Our Story, This Is Our Song,” the upcoming PBS documentary series by Dr. Henry Louis Gates.

On Thursday, February 11, WNCU will host a Facebook Live event, The Black Church: A Conversation with Local Pastors from 1 pm — 2 pm. This dynamic discussion about the history of the Black church in America and in our communities will feature pastors Andy Thompson of World Overcomers Christian Church, Reverend Luke Powery of Duke University Chapel, and Pastor Michael Page of Antioch Baptist Church.

On Sunday, February 14, WNCU radio show Close to Thee with Minister Carolyn Satterfield will continue a special music series highlighting the impact of gospel music in the church, on HBCU campuses, and in our communities. This week’s guest will include members of North Carolina Central University’s Worship and Praise Inspirational Choir, Devin Mercer and Jason Sam. Both events are funded by a grant from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting.

“WNCU 90.7 FM is pleased to partner with these pillars in the community of Durham to explore the cultural and historical importance of local Black churches and their musical traditions,” says the stations’ General Manager, Lackisha Sykes Freeman.

“The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song” is a four-hour documentary series tracing the 400-year history of the Black church in America, produced by McGee Media, Inkwell Media, and WETA Washington, D.C., in association with Get Lifted. The series features interviews with John Legend, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Hudson, Bishop Michael Curry, Cornel West, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Rev. Al Sharpton, Yolanda Adams, Rev. William Barber II, BeBe Winans, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, and more. It premieres at 9 pm on February 16 and 17 on PBS North Carolina and PBS stations nationwide, as well as streaming on the PBS app, PBS Passport, and PBS.org.