NBCUniversal Local in Chicago Marks Black History Month

Discovery Black History NBCU Local Chicago
(Image credit: NBCU Local Chicago)

NBCUniversal Chicago plans to market Black History Month with special content including profiles of local business and civic leaders who are making an impact and pushing toward societal change and awareness.

NBCU Local Chicago includes WMAQ, WSNS and NBC Sports Chicago. Feature stories can also be viewed at the stations’ digital outlets, NBCChicago.com, TelemundoChicago.com and NBCSportsChicago.com.

Also Read: Local News Close-Up: Chicago Is the City of Big Stories

Among the stories planned this month at WMAQ: 

  • On Tuesday, arts & entertainment reporter Lee Ann Trotter will interview musician and actor and activities Common about his new book, And Then We Rise: A Guide To Loving And Taking Care of Self.
  • On February 2, Alex Maragos profiles two local Olympians: Lincolnwood native basketball star Jewell Loyd, who who uses her platform to push for greater awareness and acceptance of people with dyslexia, and Team USA Triple Jumper Tori Franklin. born in Evanston and raised in Downers Grove, who recently started a non-profit called Live Happii, empowering youth through travel, mental wellness and movement.
  • On February 5, Mary Ann Ahern will do a special report on the recent findings of the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force.
  • On February 8, Christian Farr takes a deep dive into Evanston’s current reparations program.

WSNS, also known as Telemundo Chicago, will have features on an Afro-Cuban business owner who guides young Latino entrepreneurs and a story about a new program at the National Museum of Mexican Art.

NBC Sports Chicago will have “Discover Black Heritage” content on its shows including Coors Light Bulls Pregame Live featuring Jason Goff, Kendall Gill and Will Purdue, Blackhawks Pregame Live featuring Pay Boyle Tony Granato and Caley Chelios and Sports Sunday with Leila Rahimi and Mike Berman.

“In conjunction with NBCUniversal’s ‘Discover Black Heritage’ campaign, we are proud to share new stories celebrating the achievements and impact of Chicago’s Black community across our three local properties,” Kevin Cross, president and general manager, NBCUniversal Local Chicago, said. “It is our responsibility to educate our viewers on the progress and continued challenges of our diverse community, which is a year-round focus for our entire team.”

Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.