USA / 2024 / 56 min / English / Documentary
This is the fourth installment in KHOU 11’s nationally acclaimed, award-winning Juneteenth documentary series. We explore the origins of African American music and how it has progressed into today’s sounds and performances. You will hear familiar sounds of gospel, jazz, funk, and hip-hop and meet the talented people who have made a mark in Houston’s music scene.
DIRECTOR: Native Houstonian Mia Gradney is a multi-Emmy Award-winning creator/talent and the 5, 6, and 10 p.m. anchor at KHOU 11 News in Houston, Texas.
For two decades, Mia has showcased her versatility, covering everything from historic hurricanes to major Hollywood red-carpet events, and national sports championships. Creating KHOU’s nationally acclaimed Juneteenth documentary series is one of Mia’s defining career accomplishments.
Mia is a proud alumna of Sam Houston State University with a degree in Radio/Television. In 2016, the university honored and inducted her into its Distinguished Alumni Society. She is also a past inductee into the school’s Dan Rather Hall of Fame.
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT: On June 19th, 1865, the last enslaved African Americans learned of their freedom when Union Army General Gordon Granger arrived on Galveston Island, along with mostly black Union troops, to announce and enforce emancipation for all… freedom.
Juneteenth is a time of reflection but also a reminder of the struggles overcome and the progress that still needs to be made 159 years later. It’s much more than a holiday; it’s a call to truly embrace the values of freedom and independence while celebrating the enduring spirit of the African American community and its lasting contributions.
Black music is very much a historical timeline of African Americans constant pursuit of equality while embodying black culture and defining new musical genres.
From work songs the enslaved sang together on plantations, to the birth of gospel, jazz, blues, and the dynamic beats of hip-hop and R&B, music has remained a powerful tool of storytelling and cultural expression for the black community.
Contact: dlockett@khou.com
