CNN Presents: Black in America 2

By Zaina Adamu The producers at CNN knew they were on to something when 13 million viewers tuned in to Black in America last year. It aired during the height of President Obamas campaign and sparked interest among those who were unaware of disparities facing the black community. Next week, CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad OBrien gives viewers another glimpse into the lives of blacks in America ranging from the prominent elite to the economically disadvantaged. The two-part series begins with Todays Pioneers zooming in on community leaders who impact the greater whole. OBrien travels across the country in search of answers to the societal issues that concern black people. It becomes apparent early on in the series what CNN is attempting to achieve. It takes mainstreams perception of black lifestyles and unveils the internal barriers that may be the cause of the problems. Strategic editing and in-depth interviews come together to set the pace for the first part of the series, while powerful camera images create the tone. Tomorrows Leaders, the second component of the series, delivers an unmasked picture of inner-city education and youth empowerment. In one segment Malaak Compton-Rock, philanthropist and wife of entertainer Chris Rock, challenges students of a Brooklyn school with her Journey for Change foundation, an organization devoted to giving young high school students the opportunity to travel across the world. OBrien decides to take the trip with them, which inevitably becomes a life-changing experience for everyone involved. Black in America 2 does not fail to give both sides though, offering contrasting views on the controversial American school system. While stereotypical depictions of black youth are presented in the first 45 minutes of Tomorrows Leaders, the documentary

CNN anchor and special correspondent Soledad OBrien travels to South Africa with young volunteers in Malaak Compton-Rock's Journey for Change program. Photo Credit: Jeff Hutchens/Reportage for CNN flows into a more structured approach; But if there is one aspect of Black in following Steve Perry, founder of CapiAmerica 2 that exceeds all else it is the tal Preparatory Magnet School in Conrepresentation of character. The individnecticut and one of his students, whose uals signify something more massive only dream is to become a college stuthan their meaning. It is with this feature dent. OBrien also examines John Rices that the series comes alive by exposing a Management Leadership Training humanistic side to a stereotyped race. In (MLT), a rigorous program which gets some instances, facial expressions, eye black professionals into powerful posicontact or lack thereof and hand tions in American society. gestures tell the story when words simCNN succeeds in providing a clear and ply are not enough. concise theme. The four hours between Black in America 2 is produced by both parts seem to come and go with en- CNN Productions and filmed in high gaging commentary and commanding pho- definition. Mark Nelson is the vice prestography. Photojournalism, in fact, is what ident and senior executive producer. makes the documentary, proving that a pic- Jeffery Reid is executive producer for ture can be well worth more than just a the documentaries. thousand words. Cinematography captures Black in America 2 premieres Wednesthe essence of this thought-provoking docday, July 22, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. and umentary while editing and composition 11:00 p.m, ET and Thursday, July 23, are close to perfect as each scene appropri- 2009 at 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. ately follows the next.
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The Baltimore Times, July 17 - 23, 2009 (www.baltimoretimesonline.com)

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