New WABE Studios Documentary, (re)Defining History: Uncovering The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre, Examines Dark Chapter in Atlanta’s History
Premieres in Atlanta on WABE TV (PBS/Ch. 30) Sept. 24
Available for Nationwide Streaming on Oct. 1
Special Screening Event Planned with
National Center for Civil & Human Rights on Sept. 22
Atlanta, GA (September 5, 2023) – WABE Studios, a division of WABE, Atlanta’s choice for PBS and NPR, today announces the premiere of its new original documentary (re)Defining History: Uncovering The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre. The half-hour special, produced by WABE Studios, airs Sunday, September 24 at 7:30 p.m. on WABE TV (PBS/Ch. 30) and will be available to stream nationwide on wabe.org, PBS Passport, and WABE’s YouTube channel on October 1.
The documentary, narrated by noted Atlanta historian Dr. Maurice Hobson, tells the story of the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre, one of American history’s deadliest outbreaks of racial violence. Over four days in September 1906, at least 25 African Americans were killed and hundreds more injured after false reports of white women being assaulted by Black men sparked a wave of uncontrolled violence from white residents.
In (re)Defining History: Uncovering The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre, Dr. Hobson explores the truth behind the massacre, what led to the violence, and how it spawned resilience in the Black community. The film also features interviews with descendants of victims of the massacre, historians, and civil rights activists, such as Dr. Clarissa Myrick-Harris, Ann Hill Bond, and Rose Martin Palmer.
“WABE Studios is committed to telling stories that have been overlooked or erased,” said Alison Hashimoto, WABE Studio Senior Vice President of Video. “The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre is one of those stories. We hope this documentary will help us all better understand the legacy of racism in Atlanta and America and inspire viewers to work towards a more just and equitable future.”
Along with the WABE TV broadcast premiere on September 24, WABE Studios is co-hosting a special pre-screening of (re)Defining History: Uncovering The 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre with the National Center for Civil and Human Rights on September 22 at The Gathering Spot in Atlanta. The screening will feature a powerful conversation with descendants of white and Black families impacted by the massacre. The event is open to the public, but space is limited. RSVP here to reserve your free tickets.
“Commemorating the 1906 Atlanta Race Massacre is integral to our mission to help communities heal by facing the truth of this atrocity with honesty and integrity. The massacre shaped Atlanta and the U.S. as part of a decades-long campaign to subjugate Black people through racial terror and Jim Crow laws,” says Darrin Sims, Director of the Truth and Transformation Initiative for the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. “In order to change society towards an equitable future, we must confront the past, uncover its origins, and show how it impacts our present. While an ugly, uncomfortable part of our history, this is also a story of resilience as we pay homage to the Sweet Auburn community, which nurtured the civil rights movement for the nation.”
(re)Defining History is produced by WABE Studios, with Alison Hashimoto and Daniel Keller-Bradshaw as executive producers and Brianna Carr as producer.
To learn more about the film and purchase pre-screening tickets, visit www.wabe.org/racemassacre.
ABOUT WABE
Celebrating its 75th anniversary, WABE is Atlanta’s original, independent, non-profit sources for news and local stories and the choice for NPR and PBS. Our stations deliver fact-based journalism and inclusive, engaging, cultural content that informs, inspires, reflects, and empowers the millions who call the Greater Atlanta area home. In addition, WABE’s programs, podcasts, and events make Atlanta’s stories and storytellers accessible and relevant across various platforms for our diverse audience of listeners, viewers, visitors, and members. Go to www.wabe.org for additional information.
