Black History Month returns to ITV
Published: Fri 30 Sep 2022
A series of specially commissioned films as part of ITV’s Fresh Cuts strand and a star-studded four-part series shining a light on ‘Black History Makers’, will lead ITV’s programming for Black History Month, this October.
In addition, ITV has commissioned a special timeline covering key moments of Black TV history on ITV which includes the programmes which launched the careers of household names including Sir Trevor McDonald, Sir Lenny Henry and Charlene White.
ITV’s Fresh Cuts strand
Five rising filmmakers – Louise Coleman, Yemi Adegbulu, Daniel Dempster, Jason Osborne and David Adeyemi – were selected for their contemporary innovative ideas capturing Black Britishness for their first network long-form documentary for ITV as part of the Black History Month 2022 Fresh Cuts strand housed at Multistory Media, part of ITV Studios. The series kicks off on Sunday 2nd October at 22:50 pm with Daniel Dempster’s Everyone Can Rap, starring celebrated rapper Youngs Teflon.
Sorry, I Didn't Know
Jimmy Akingbola will return for a third series to host the new series which will air in October on ITV and ITV Hub, as part of ITV’s Black History Month celebrations. Comedian Eddie Kadi and Chizzy Akudolu return as team captains, presiding over the guests as they battle it out over four rounds, unveiling interesting Black History facts along the way. The show will once again be a riotous showcase of some of the hottest comedians from diverse backgrounds as they have their knowledge tested of untold stories and unsung heroes.
Sorry, I Didn't Know is commissioned by Joe Mace and Gemma John Lewis in ITV Entertainment Commissioning. It is produced by TriForce Productions and was created by the husband and wife team, Fraser and Minnie Ayres.
ITV Daytime
Starting on Friday 7 October, Good Morning Britain will offer viewers a star-studded four-part series ‘Black History Makers’. This includes The Apprentice’s Tim Campbell looking into black entrepreneurship. Also, the lead singer of M People, Heather Small looks at how Ngozi Fulani, founder of Sistah Space, helps women of African & Caribbean heritage who are victims of domestic and sexual abuse.
On This Morning, food favourites Ainsley Harriott, Rustie Lee and Big Zuu will be cooking up the delicious Caribbean and West African cuisine, while fellow show favourite Atah Jewel will be on hand with the best beauty buys for black hair and skin. Host Alison Hammond’s off to Birmingham with actress Michelle Gayle to visit an art installation designed to educate children about Black History, and Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones AKA The Black Farmer and climate activist Vanessa Nakate will be sharing their stories on the sofa.
Loose Women will shed light on topics inspired by its inspirational black panellists. Judi Love delves into the NHS investigation into racial inequalities experienced by sickle cell patients. Meanwhile, Charlene White will lead a children's hair masterclass, and there will be inspiring Black History Month content from presenters and guests throughout the month.
Regional News
All our news services across the nations and regions are featuring specially commissioned content for Black History Month. ITV Granada will cover the opening of the Liverpool 8 archives which documents the contribution of black activists and explore a new talking therapy designed for Black African/ Black Caribbean people who have experienced psychosis. ITV Granada will also welcome students from Oasis Academy at Media City UK as they discover what it's like to work in news gatherings. ITV Anglia reflects on racial segregation in Norwich pubs during WWII and the influence of Black American servicemen in East Anglia in the 1950s and 60s. As well as a feature on Anglia Black Pound Day, focusing on black entrepreneurs in the region, ITV Calender honours Arthur Wharton who was the first professional black footballer, following the opening of Sheffield Utd – a new exhibition recognising his contribution to football and society.
Curated rails on Britbox and ITV Hub
Black History Month will be marked with a collection of documentaries, television series and films celebrating Black British voices. Documentaries in the collection include Good Hair (2009) by American comedian and actor Chris Rock. Films include Race (2016), Barber Shop: The Nest Cut (2016) starring Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer and Nicki Minaj, Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012), Black Dynamite (2009), Precious (2009), Cadillac Records (2008), Barbershop (2002) and Flame in the Streets (1961).
ITV Black History TV Timeline
ITV has commissioned a Black History TV timeline with support from ITV Embrace – ITV’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic network - with network members and ITV colleagues submitting their favourite Black History TV moments. From the first Black contestant on Blind Date to Sir Trevor McDonald reading News at Ten and Diversity’s BAFTA award-winning seminal dance on Britain’s Got Talent, - the timeline highlights critical moments throughout ITV history that feature Black people and their stories.
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Notes to editors
ITV’s Fresh Cuts series
Everyone Can Rap by Daniel Dempster - 22:50 on ITV, Sunday 2nd October
Everyone Can Rap sees everyday people taught to rap as a form of expression, using an immersive experience. Three ordinary people are guided by celebrated rapper Youngs Teflon, as they demonstrate the use of rap in a positive and pioneering way.
Karen is a middle-aged choir mistress who suffers from anxiety. Daniel has autism and a speech and language disorder. Nicole is a single mum who has struggled to find her voice. Can they write and perform a rap in front of an audience? Daniel Dempster’s film challenges the preconceptions of the genre, as well as of Black boys and men, providing a voice to the voiceless. Daniel is passionate about celebrating Black talent and has previously worked on shows like The Rap Game and Chasing The Dream.
The Bottom Line by Louise Coleman - 22:45 on ITV, Sunday 9th October
This film explores the popularity of the controversial Brazilian Butt Lift surgery. Louise meets surgeons who perform them, people who want them and people who get them, and asks 'Is it worth the risks?' During the pandemic, Louise Coleman co-founded Verbatim Film Agency, a creative film and video collective which represents individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic communities and underprivileged backgrounds. The film is Produced, Directed and Presented by Louise Coleman
Our Jubilee directed by Jason Osborne - Sunday 16th October
An alternative social history of Britain through the stories of Black Britons in the Queen’s Jubilee years. Black Britons tell their personal stories through the prism of the Queen's Jubilee years and how the experience of being Black and British changed over the 70 years of her reign. Filmed in 2022 before the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Director, Jason Osborne transitioned to the world of film after spending time in various corporate roles. He is an inaugural recipient of the Netflix Documentary Talent Fund and co-founder of Project Must Entertainment, an independent production company focused on documentary, scripted and factual entertainment projects.
The Ink Life by Yemi Adegbulu - Sunday 23rd October
Ink to Skin explores tattoos in Black British culture, following the stories of three Black tattoo artists - Nish, Tianna and Sammy - and some of their customers. Yemi, whose film explores tattoos in black culture, was funded and mentored in 2022 by The Roundhouse for her directorial debut ‘Keeping Grandma’ – a documentary based on her family’s eight-year fight to keep her grandmother in the country.
Slam Dunk by David Adeyemi - Sunday 30th October
Black, British and Basketball follow the journey of two basketball players and their teams battling through the Ball Out 3 x 3 basketball tournament, highlighting the importance of the sport in black communities and its place in the UK sporting landscape. David Adeyemi has worked in production for over six years. He earned his first TV credit through Mama Youth Project.