TV ONE TO AIR ‘STATE OF THE BLACK UNION’

Beginning Sunday (Aug. 12) at 6 p.m. (ET), TV One will air a series of three one-hour specials highlighting best-selling "Covenant with Black America" movement founder and talk show host Tavis Smiley's Eighth Annual State of the Black Union symposium, designed to take a historical look at the influence and imprint of African Americans on America as the nation commemorates the 400th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement in Jamestown.

1. Aug. 12 special, entitled “Jamestown…400 Years Later,” a panel of experts discusses the link between the nation's first African American settlers 400 years ago and the African American community of today. Participants include the Rev. Al Sharpton, actor/producer Tim Reid, former ABC news correspondent and current NPR host Michel Martin, radio personality Tom Joyner, the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Judge Glenda Hatchett, Congressman Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Former Virginia Governor L. Douglas Wilder and Radio One founder and chairperson Catherine Hughes. This week's hour repeats on Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 1 p.m
   
   
2. Aug. 19, the second hour, “Jamestown…The Next 400 Years,” explores what America would be without African-Americans. and the panel includes Chuck D of the rap group Public Enemy, astronaut Dr. Mae Jamison, Dr. Cornel West of Princeton University, along with former Ebony editor Lerone Bennett Jr., Children's Defense Fund Founder Marian Wright Edelman and Rep. Bobby Scott. This episode will have an encore play on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. and Wednesday, Aug. 29 at noon.
   
   
   
3. Aug. 26, TV One airs part three of the State of the Black Union 2007 symposium, “Jamestown…Memorable Moments.” This final hour consists of memorable moments and final thoughts from the symposium to conclude the annual
   event. An encore play is scheduled for Wednesday Aug 29 at 1 p.m.