Special Report: Behind the stories we uncovered for Black History Month

(NEXSTAR) -Nexstar Media - the parent company of this website - is launching a series of stories for Black History Month, highlighting significant historical sites and cultural contributions across the United States that honor Black history. To kick off our coverage, three veteran reporters sat down to discuss the broader significance of their coverage for the special report at the top of this article.

Among the topics discussed is a deeper dive into our coverage of a surge in black-owned businesses from WHTM's Valerie Pritchett, WFLA's Deanne King delving into stories of everyday people working to fix systemic problems in black communities, and KSEE's Sydney Charles reporting on the role Buffalo Soldiers played in protecting the natural resources that became our first national parks. Each journalist spoke not only about their reporting for this month, but about the career path that led them to becoming storytellers about the contributions of black Americans.

Nexstar's month of coverage also includes a visit to Historic Stagville in Durham County, North Carolina, which was once one of the largest plantations in the state. The site now serves as an educational resource about the lives of enslaved people. Another story focuses on the Move-In Day Mafia, a volunteer group that supports students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by providing dorm makeovers and care packages.

The Attucks Theater in Norfolk, known as the 'Apollo of the South,' will also be featured. Designed by African American architect Harvey Johnson, the theater has hosted legendary performers since its opening in 1919. In Mobile, the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association (MAMGA), originally known as the Colored Carnival Association, will be highlighted for its role in promoting cultural and civic engagement through Mardi Gras celebrations.

These stories will appear on local stations across the United States and represent a sampling of the deep coverage Nexstar journalists will provide over the month of February.

Through these stories, Nexstar Media aims to honor and educate audiences about the rich history and contributions of African Americans, providing a deeper understanding of their impact on American culture and society.

All facts from this article were gathered by Nexstar journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence.  It has been edited and approved by Nexstar staff.