Creator/Executive Producer
Welcome to the Urban Hard Talk. The task of Urban Hard Talk™ is to provide a unique television forum that is informative, educational, and inspiring. It will empower the black community by addressing the issues of the day that directly impact the community.
Guests will range from legislators, to academics, to religious leaders and community activists who will provide a variety of perspectives on these issues. While the emphasis will be on the black community and other communities of color, discussions will be beneficial for all Americans.
Additionally, Urban Hard Talk will provide a template for leadership development and guides to scholarship opportunities to educate the next generation of leaders.
Specifically, the show will
᛫ Give voice to an underserved community.
᛫ Show the diversity within the Black community and other communities of color.
᛫ Build bridges to connect the many diverse cultures in our nation.
᛫ Facilitate a more informed national conversation about challenges facing urban communities.
᛫ Engage Black viewers in national social, economic, and political discussions.
᛫ Create a platform for Black newsmakers and policymakers to reach their constituents and debates.
᛫ Showcase African American achievers that are positive role models for Black youth.
᛫ Produce educational programming that is culturally, spiritually, and professionally relevant.
᛫ Preserve a proud Black American heritage through genealogy and enslaved ancestors.
Issues to be discussed include: medical apartheid, including health and social justice issues that disproportionately affect black Americans; human trafficking that affects 40 percent of African American women and girls, the legacy of slavery including a lack of black male leadership and mentoring; current and proposed legislation, finance, police reform, neighborhood violence, and other issues.
Urban Hard Talk is produced as a non-profit talk show for Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), which is an American public broadcaster and television program distributor.
The HBCU Speakers Bureau and Research Magazine (HBCU SBRM) will partner with Urban Hard Talk to secure speakers for the Urban Hard Talk TV Show. A special segment will showcase an “unsung hero” in which an individual will be featured who goes above and beyond to enhance the lives of others.
The website captures some of the unique features of the Urban Hard Talk TV show, which will begin airing in fall 2021. We hope you will join us next fall.