A new PBS docuseries from Henry Louis Gates, Jr. delves into the origins and influence of gospel music on Black spirituality. Premiering Feb. 12-13, “GOSPEL,” a four-part documentary series, explores the rich history of sermon and song in the Black church. The docuseries reunites Gates, an acclaimed Harvard scholar and documentarian, with directors Stacey L. Holman and Shayla Harris, who created “Making Black America: Through the Grapevine” and “The Black Church: This Is Our Story. This Is Our Song” in collaboration with Gates.

Throughout the “GOSPEL” docuseries, viewers will hear conversations with a number of gospel singers as well as clergymen and scholars. The series also explores how evolving preaching styles, cultural innovations and consumer technologies shaped the development of gospel music since its conception. 

RELATED: 

• The sacred and the secular: How gospel music grew from the blues
• Gospel music in the Black church
• Negro Spirituals: The music that helped free enslaved African Americans
• The “Black Church in Detroit” series

In anticipation of the “GOSPEL” series premiere, “American Black Journal” host Stephen Henderson talks with Holman, the director and producer of the docuseries, about the music history it chronicles and the impact on the Black church. They also discuss Detroit’s connection to the genre and how other music genres have been influenced by gospel. 

Plus, join “American Black Journal” for its “GOSPEL” Watch Party on Thursday, Feb. 15 on Facebook and YouTube. Local gospel music experts, as well as performers, writers and producers in the genre, will discuss Detroit’s rich gospel music history and where gospel music in our city is headed today. 

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Watch American Black Journal on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on Detroit Public TV, WTVS-Channel 56.