This February, VisionTV presents special programming in recognition and celebration of Black History Month. Check out our lineup of series, movies and documentaries highlighting the cultural stories and showcasing the many talents and contributions of Black musicians, actors and entertainers.

 

Songs of Freedom with Measha Brueggergosman – Fridays at 10pm ET

Embark on a spiritual and moving journey of discovery with Grammy-nominated, Juno Award-winning Superstar Soprano Measha Brueggergosman as she traces her familial and musical roots from Cameroon to Canada in this popular Canadian Screen Award-winning 4-part series.

“In the Book of Negroes I found the names of some of my ancestors. If John Gosman hadn’t risked his life to get his name in that book and make it on that ship to Nova Scotia, I would not be here right now.”

Featuring Measha’s performances of a unique collection of Freedom Songs including Amazing Grace, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, Go Tell It On The Mountain, and Go Down Moses.

 

Reaching For Zion – Monday, Feb. 6 at 9pm ET

Music legend Bob Marley dreamed of One Love and longed for peace and harmony for all in Zion. Three decades after his death, his charismatic granddaughter Donisha Predergast goes on a quest to understand the roots of her grandfather’s extraordinary legacy and discovers more about his musical inspirations and his unlikely connection to Judaism.

Featuring performances by Alpha Blondy, Idan Rachael, Johnny Osbourne, Mendy Cahan, Gili Yalo, Billy Mysic, Rasta Kura and Protege.

 

Ray – Monday, Feb. 6 at Midnight ET

Jamie Foxx stars in the Oscar-winning film about the life and career of the legendary soul musician Ray Charles, from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom during the 1950s and ’60s. Featuring a remarkable performance by Foxx which earned him an Oscar for Best Actor.

 

A Tribute to Sidney Poitier: A Genuine Trailblazer

Sidney Poitier made it possible to be a Black movie star in Hollywood. He was a gifted actor, a charismatic presence, and incredibly popular with audiences, who loved his integrity, power, and grace.

We are honouring the legendary star with two of his most memorable films airing this February!

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner – Wednesday, Feb 8 at 8pm ET

Sidney Poitier, Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn (who won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance) are unforgettable as perplexed parents in this landmark 1967 movie about mixed marriage.

After a ten-day Hawaiian vacation, Joanna Drayton (Katharine Houghton) returns to her San Francisco home with John Prentice (Sidney Poitier), her brand new fiancé. Although he’s a successful doctor and a Nobel Prize candidate, her parents, Christina (Katharine Hepburn) and Matthew (Spencer Tracy), are taken aback when they discover John is Black.

 

They Call Me Mister Tibbs! – Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 8pm ET | Saturday, Feb. 11 at 4pm ET

Sidney Poitier, stars as Detective Virgil Tibbs, battles another puzzling murder in San Francisco in this exciting sequel to In The Heat of the Night featuring compelling performances from Martin Landau and Barbara McNair and music by Quincy Jones.

When a prostitute is murdered in San Francisco’s ritzy Nob Hill district, an anonymous tip implicates the Reverend Logan Sharpe (Landau). Lt. Virgil Tibbs, who has known Sharpe for many years, asks to be assigned to the case in hopes of clearing his friend’s name. So begins Tibbs’ journey through a twisted maze of baffling evidence, frantic chases and deadly gunfire. Before long, Tibbs finds himself bitterly torn between his duty as a cop and his loyalty to a friend.