Date: Fri 16-Oct-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

CPTV-Karyl-Evans-Ossie

Full Text:

CPTV Documentary Debuts Monday Night: Continuation Of "CT Experience" Series

(with cut)

The early history of Connecticut is peppered with the stories of Puritan

settlers and the gallant accomplishments of our state's forefathers. However,

history has for too long overlooked a group of courageous individuals whose

countless contributions played a vital role in the settlement and growth of

Connecticut -- namely, African Americans.

"African Americans in Connecticut: The Colonial Era to the Civil War," a new

one-hour documentary co-produced by Connecticut Public Television and The

Connecticut Humanities Council, presents a rich collection of stories through

nearly three centuries that celebrates the many contributions made by

African-Americans throughout the state.

Premiering on Monday, October 19, at 9:30 pm on CPTV, the program will be

shown immediately following the new PBS series presentation of "Africans in

America." It will be repeated on Thursday, October 22, at 9:30 pm, and Sunday,

October 25, and Tuesday, October 27 at noon. CPTV is on Carter Communications

at Channel 12.

"African Americans in Connecticut: The Colonial Era to the Civil War" is

produced and directed by Karyl K. Evans, a former Newtown resident and the

Emmy-nominated producer/director of "The Amistad Revolt: All We Want is Make

Us Free," as well as programs on the Connecticut Freedom Trail. The program

was written by Emmy Award-winner Jeremy Brecher and Frank Mitchell, and is

hosted by actor Ossie Davis.

The program is part of the "Connecticut Experience" series, an ongoing

collaboration between the Connecticut Humanities Council and CPTV. The series

examines important issues and themes in the state's political and cultural

life.

Dramatically retold using first-hand accounts from autobiographies, diaries

and letters, "African Americans in Connecticut: The Colonial Era to the Civil

War" highlights the achievements of the Connecticut African-American community

as well as the almost insurmountable struggles they faced to attain freedom

and equality. The historical traditions of the Connecticut African American

community are brought to light, and the program highlights how people are

rediscovering that history today.

"African Americans in Connecticut: The Colonial Era to the Civil War" features

the lives of prominent Connecticut citizens including Venture Smith and James

Mars, two men who rose up against personal oppression and broke through the

shackles of slavery to attain prosperous lives as leaders of the black

community.

The program also includes the stories of abolitionist John Brown, a native of

Torrington, whose plans to liberate slaves in Virginia led to his execution;

community benefactor Hannah Gray of New Haven, who started a home for indigent

lack women and helped fund the education of Yale Divinity School students;

school mistress Prudence Crandall, who fought for the educational rights of

young black women; and entrepreneur and community leader William Lanson of New

Haven, a building contractor who was one of the wealthiest black men in the

state in the Nineteenth Century.