The African American Experience

Discover Pennsylvania’s story through the lens of African American history and culture. Interviews with experts and tours of notable locations reveal the African American perspective during the major events that shaped the state. The African American Experience is available to stream on demand below with a PCN Select subscription.

PCN, proud to bring Pennsylvania History and Culture to you.

The African American Experience will return July 12 at 6 PM.

July 12: The Christiana Resistance of 1851 - On Sept. 11, 1851, Maryland slave-owner Edward Gorsuch arrived at the farm of William Parker in search of an enslaved person that Parker was hiding. Armed neighbors rushed to the scene and in the ensuing fight against the slave catchers Edward Gorsuch was killed. Thirty-eight men, mostly African American, were arrested, but after the first […]

July 19: Black History of Scranton - In the 1850 census four African Americans were documented as residents Scranton, today the community has about 5,000 residents. Over the years African Americans have made important contributions to the city in business, culture, and politics. In this episode of the African American Experience, we talk with Black Scranton Project founder Glynis Johns about the […]

July 26: The Great Migration and Pittsburgh - This week on The African American Experience, Samuel Black, the director of African American Programs at the Heinz History Center, joins us to talk about how the Great Migration influenced Pittsburgh. During the Great Migration more than 6 million African Americans moved from the South to the North and West with many thousands settling in […]

An Article from The African American Experience Producer Phil Beckman

African American History in Pennsylvania

By: Phil Beckman, Producer

In 1863 when the Union Army began accepting African American men, Camp William Penn was established outside Philadelphia to train them. During the course of the war more than 10,500 soldiers comprising 11 infantry regiments were trained at the camp before leaving for battle. Camp William Penn soldiers fought in many battles, won Medals of Honor, were present at Robert E. Lee’s surrender, and participated in the hunt for John Wilkes Booth.

PCN’s series, The African American Experience, was created to tell these stories and more. The series focuses on African American history in Pennsylvania. Episodes will feature interviews with experts and tours of historic sites.

African Americans have been part of Pennsylvania’s story from the beginning. We spoke with author Cooper Wingert about slavery in the south central region in the 18th and early 19th centuries and why it continued to thrive there even as it died out in the eastern part of the state.

Samuel Black, the director of African American Programs at the Heinz History Center, joined us to talk about how the Great Migration impacted Pittsburgh. During the Great Migration more than 6 million African Americans moved from the South to the North and West with many thousands settling in the Pittsburgh region. They worked in steel mills, started business, ran newspapers, and played jazz.

Learn more about the lives and influence of African Americans in Pennsylvania on demand with the PCN Select streaming service.

On Demand - The African American Experience Summer 2019

African Americans in the Civilian Conservation Corps, The African American Experience

Black History of Scranton, The African American Experience

Camp William Penn and the U.S. Colored Troops, The African American Experience

The Christiana Resistance of 1851, The African American Experience

The Great Migration and Pittsburgh, The African American Experience

Lawrence Family of Erie, PA, The African American Experience

Slavery in South Central Pennsylvania, The African American Experience

William C. Goodridge Freedom Center & Underground Railroad Museum, The African American Experience

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