Bowie State Signs On As Premier Sponsor For 2 Original PBS Documentaries

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Bowie State University will be the first historically black university to sponsor national PBS documentaries. In an agreement with Maryland Public Television, Bowie State has signed on as a premier sponsor for two original PBS documentaries – Harriet Tubman: Visions of Freedom and Becoming Frederick Douglass – that shed new light on the lives of a pair of iconic Marylanders who were critical figures in the struggle to end slavery.

This support aligns with the history of the institution as the first Historically Black College and University founded in Maryland in 1865.

Created by Oscar-nominated and award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, the two films are co-productions of Firelight Films and MPT with an appropriation from the state of Maryland. The one-hour documentaries will premiere on MPT and nationally on PBS stations, PBS.org and the PBS video app in October 2022. Trailers and additional information about both films are available at tubmandouglassfilms.com.

“Since the first days of our founding in Baltimore with the mission to begin educating the newly emancipated citizens of Maryland, Bowie State University has been a trailblazer,” Bowie State University President Aminta H. Breaux said. “Building on that legacy, we are proud to boldly step up to partner with Maryland Public Television to help bring forward fresh perspectives on the influence of these two powerful champions of freedom that continue to resonate in today’s dialogue on social justice.”

As part of the partnership, screenings of each film will be presented at Bowie State to campus and community audiences to draw insights from Douglass and Tubman and to spark discussions on the current crisis of racial and social injustice. Additionally, MPT is preparing a menu of educational materials based on both films that will be available online to students and educators in grades fourth through 12th.

“It is critically important that we continue to preserve and elevate all aspects of African American history and its rich tapestry woven into every aspect of American history,” Breaux said. “I commend MPT and public broadcasting stations across the country for their commitment to bring these stories to their diverse audiences.”