Watch: Basic Black on the Oscars, diversity and representation

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Produced live at WGBH Studios in Boston, Basic Black is the longest-running program on public television focusing on the interests of people of color. The show, which was originally called Say Brother, was created in 1968 during the height of the civil rights movement as a response to the demand for public television programs reflecting the concerns of communities of color. Each episode features a panel discussion across geographic borders and generational lines with the most current stories, interviews and commentaries.

March 25, 2022

Updated August 28, 2023

The 94th annual Academy Awards are this Sunday, March 27. For audiences watching the star-studded spectacle, it can bring up feelings of excitement when their favorites take the stage to claim a golden statue and disappointment when their hopeful contenders miss out.

But this year's nominations reflect greater diversity than the Oscars has recognized in years past, and many viewers will be cheering on Black and brown creatives, actors and films featuring people of color for different reasons.

In 2015, April Reign tweeted #OscarsSoWhite in response to all 20 acting nominations being give to white actors at the 87th Academy Awards. She helped turn a spotlight on the ceremony’s lack of inclusion and created a movement toward focusing on racial equity within the film industry. According to UCLA’s 2022 Hollywood Diversity Report released earlier this week, “about 4 out of 10 lead actors in film are people of color,” an indicator that Reign’s movement still has a long road ahead.

This week on Basic Black, host Callie Crossley — herself a past Oscar nominee for the PBS documentary "Eyes on the Prize" — will be joined by Thato Rantao Mwosa, director of the award-winning film "Memoirs of a Black Girl"; Lisa Simmons, artistic director of the Roxbury International Film Festival; John Oluwole ADEkoje, artistic director at Boston Arts Academy; and Sabrina Avilés, executive director of the Boston Latino International Film Festival.

Watch the latest episode of Basic Black tonight at 7:30 p.m. on GBH 2, or live on our website below. You can also watch on the GBH News YouTube channel. Subscribe to get notifications for future premiere episodes.