Celebrating Black History Month on News/Talk 790 WNIS

February is Black History Month, and News/Talk 790 WNIS is proud to honor the achievements, resilience, and contributions of African Americans across Virginia’s history. Throughout the month, we’ll shine a spotlight on the trailblazers who have shaped our state and our nation, from civil rights pioneers to sports legends, political leaders, and cultural icons.

Throughout the day, we’ll highlight a different notable African American, sharing their inspiring stories and lasting impact. You’ll hear about groundbreaking figures like Governor L. Douglas Wilder, the first African American governor of Virginia; civil rights leader Maggie L. Walker, the first Black woman to charter a bank in the U.S.; and Booker T. Washington, the influential educator and orator. We’ll also recognize modern-day changemakers, including Winsome Sears, Virginia’s first Black woman lieutenant governor, and Missy Elliott, the trailblazing hip-hop icon from Portsmouth.

In addition to these spotlights, WNIS will feature in-depth interviews with community leaders, historians, and experts across politics, the arts, entertainment, sports, and more. From football greats like Bruce Smith and Allen Iverson to cultural icons like Pharrell Williams and Ella Fitzgerald, Black excellence runs deep in Virginia’s history—and we’re here to celebrate it.

Join us all month long as we pay tribute to these remarkable individuals and their enduring legacies. Stay tuned to News/Talk 790 WNIS for powerful stories, engaging discussions, and a celebration of Black history that continues to inspire future generations.

We'll be Honoring

Governor L. Douglas Wilder
Winsome Sears
Condelizza Rice
William R. Harvey
Missy Elliot
Ella Fitzgerald
Arthur Ashe
Booker T. Washington
Harriet Tubman
Lena Horne

Bruce Smith
Lawrence Taylor
Allen Iverson
Michael Vick
Pharrell Williams
Percy Harvin
Kam Chancellor
Gabby Douglas
Coach Mike Tomlin
Coach Wiley Lee

Tiki and Ronde Barber
Ralph Sampson
Shamarko Thomas
Sam Allen
Nicki Giovanni
Max Robinson Jr.
Paul Robeson
George Washington Carver
Julian Bond
Alice Walker

Toni Morrison
Wendall Scott
Robert Russa Moton
Sally Hemmings
Mary Jackson
Wanda Sykes
Moses Malone
Justin and BJ Upton
Grant Holloway

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