February 3, 2023
Black innovation has and continues to forge a path forward in American society through creativity and imagination for a better tomorrow. These innovators, both past and present, share the common thread of thinking outside the box and pushing the bounds of norms, laws, and expectations. This month and all year long, Comcast NBCUniversal is honoring Black changemakers by highlighting how innovators of the past have paved the road for culture shifters today and beyond.
The power of our platforms uniquely positions us to amplify the work of Black changemakers in various arenas. By highlighting Black business owners, sharing the stories of civil rights activists, investing in organizations that promote digital equity and economic mobility for Black youth and adults, and much more, we are helping to create a future of unlimited possibilities.
Honoring Black Changemakers
Comcast proudly shines a light on the ways Black changemakers influence and shape our culture through the Black Experience on Xfinity. This first-of-its kind destination features high-quality content from many of Xfinity’s existing network partners and invests millions of dollars in showcasing emerging talent. This month, we are celebrating the two-year anniversary of Black Experience on Xfinity by showcasing our “Evolution of Activism” series, a collection of content exploring the evolution and progression of activism throughout history. The Black History Month curated collection will be available for Xfinity customers from January 30 – February 28 on X1, Flex, Stream, and XClass TV.
- Evolution of Activism: The collection will feature content that celebrates the lives and work of activists throughout history including Fredrick Douglas, Angela Davis, and John Lewis to current-day activists like Tarana Burke and Kimberlé Williams Crenshaw. In addition to highlighting a new generation of activists, the collection showcases entertainers, writers, and filmmakers, who advocate for human rights by using their platforms to educate audiences on a variety of important issues. Featured films and TV shows from the collection include Woke, Black AF, Citizen Ash, Get on the Bus, The Hate You Give, Blackish, and more.The first week of the “Evolution of Activism” series kicks off with HBO Max feature films: Judas and the Black Messiah, Harriet, and Race; along with REVOLT’s, Forever our FLOTUS. To access “Evolution of Activism” programming and look ahead to what content is going to be ungated in future weeks, customers can simply say “Black History Month” or “Black Experience” into their voice remote. Content availability may vary across platforms (X1, Flex, and the Xfinity Stream app).
- Free Black Entertainment from Popular Networks and SVODs: Comcast recently announced the launch of “Free This Week,” a new program that delivers Xfinity customers more value by unlocking a new selection of free content each week from top streaming services and premium networks, with no strings attached. To honor Black History Month, Comcast will offer customers with Xfinity X1, Xfinity Flex and Xumo TV free, week-long access to a selection of Black networks and streaming services easily accessible within the Black Experience destination. From January 30 – February 5, the Free This Week collection will feature Aspire TV, REVOLT, TV One, Impact Network, the Africa Channel, Cleo TV, and Afro. February 6 – February 12 will feature allblk, Kweli TV, Brown Sugar, and Black & Sexy.
Voices of the Civil Rights Movement
Later this year, we will celebrate 10 years of Voices of the Civil Rights Movement, Comcast NBCUniversal’s signature multimedia initiative honoring the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. With more than 18 hours of historical moments and firsthand accounts from America’s civil rights champions, Voices connects audiences to free and accessible programming that educates, informs, and inspires. This month, the platform will publish new original content examining the February 1968 Orangeburg Massacre, 55 years later; and the role of Black activism in expanding civil and human rights for all Americans, including voting rights.
Comcast Newsmakers
Throughout the month, Comcast Newsmakers spotlights changemakers who are committed to elevating and championing Black communities. Featured guests include Maya Wiley of The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, Marc Morial of the National Urban League and a member of Comcast’s external Corporate DE&I Advisory Council, Spencer Overton of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, activist Adjoa B. Asamoah, and more. Interviews – exploring topics ranging from political representation to race-based hair discrimination – are available to Comcast customers on Xfinity X1, Flex, and Stream using the voice command “Comcast Newsmakers,” and free to the public at ComcastNewsmakers.com.
