Collection:LPB

Genre: Newsmagazine

Place Covered: Nashville, Tennessee

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 1984-05-13

Duration: 00:25:04

Subjects: Fisk University | Historically black colleges and universities | HIGHER EDUCATION | Jubilee Singers | Music | Spirituals (Songs)

Contributors:

• Hinton, Rob Host
• Stewart, Genevieve Host
• Cottin, John Interviewee
• Tyson, Roberta Interviewee
• Sanders, Billye Interviewee
• Fisk Jubilee Singers Performer
• McFarland, Gina Interviewee
• Satcher, David Speaker
• Edwards, Lamar Interviewee
• Hansen, Axel Interviewee
• Neely, George Interviewee

This episode of the series “Folks” from May 13, 1984, focuses on Fisk University, a historically black college and university established in 1866 in Nashville, Tennessee. Genevieve Stewart first reports on the history of Fisk University, the school’s famous alumni, including W.E.B. Du Bois, and the influx of respected scholars and researchers from the Harlem Renaissance. She interviews Dr. John Cottin, former professor, Dr. Roberta Tyson, alumna, and Billye Sanders, alumna. Next, Rob Hinton profiles the Fisk Jubilee Singers, a choir known for performing Negro spirituals. His profile includes highlights of their performance of “Ain’a That Good News.” Lastly, Hinton reports on the financial problems facing the school and the efforts by students and Nashville residents to raise money to pay their $177,000 gas bill. He interviews: Gina McFarland, student; David Satcher, the president of McHarry Medical College; Lamar Edwards, director of development; Dr. Axel Hansen, trustee; and George Neely, the Dean of Academic Affairs.