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The original concept was developed by Dr. Paul Vandergrift in
1986, which resulted in a quarterly program produced to provide
thoughtful dialogue on vital concerns facing the African American
community and to make that dialogue available to the community
at large. Addressing complex issues of cultural diversity,
racial tension, economic disparity, education and violence,
this program filled a void in regular broadcast programming.
Valeria Lee was the initial moderator of the program for nearly
ten years. Jay Holloway became the Executive Producer in September
of 1994. When Ms. Lee became a candidate for North Carolina's
Secretary of State in the spring of 1996, Mr. Holloway also
assumed the responsibility as host and the program simultaneously
became a weekly program.
The goals of BLACK ISSUES FORUM are to: a) provide a vehicle
for a balanced exchange of views on topics of vital importance
to the black community, b) research solutions to problems
in the black community, c) inform and educate the target and
general audience about solutions and issues that might positively
impact the quality of living in North Carolina and the nation.
The initial objectives were as follows: to produce quarterly
programs for national distribution; to coordinate program
content with center programming, outreach, and PBS specials;
and to utilize effective partnerships with center staff, departments,
and external organizations and individuals to assist with
the total production.
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