“We Matter”: Cultural Significance of a Counter-Narrative Black Public Affairs Program

ABSTRACT Awareness is believed to be the longest-running locally-produced African American public affairs show in the country. Through thirteen oral history interviews and archival documents, this article examines how African American public affairs shows, like Awareness, played an integral role in the civil rights movement by presenting a counter-narrative to what was seen on mainstream news. Through this counter-narrative, Awareness had the unique ability to elevate the conversation beyond protests and demonstrations, and deeply discuss issues that could potentially alter the Southern mind-set of Blacks and improve race relations in the South. As the show approached its 50th anniversary, this article covers the launching of the show as well as reflections of those involved in this milestone.