Nickelodeon focuses on African-Americans

Throughout February, the children's network Nickelodeon will broadcast short features between programs highlighting African-American traditions and history.

These Black History Month vignettes feature kids from across the country and Nickelodeon's own Lil' J.J. sharing stories about family, friends and traditions.

In addition, beginning Saturday, Nick Jr. and sister network NOGGIN (the commercial-free station for pre-schoolers) will introduce a series of short programs profiling great figures in African-American history.

Nickelodeon has produced four new spots in celebration of Black History Month that are narrated by African-American kids sharing their thoughts and stories on lots of different topics, including the Juneteenth Celebration, the state holiday in Texas that commemorates the day slavery was abolished in that state.

Among the other subjects highlighted are gospel music, soul food, jazz, Kwanzaa, and black rodeo.

One short feature follows Lil' J.J., from Nickelodeon's live-action series "Just Jordan," as he takes viewers on a tour of his hometown in Little Rock, Ark.

Nick Jr. will pay homage to Black History Month with a series of three 30-second on-air shorts featuring hand-clap rhymes by kids and illustrations profiling great figures in African-American history.

The shorts will roll out simultaneously on Nick Jr. and NOGGIN, and will focus on the following African-American figures:

* Dr. George Washington Carver, who was popular for his invention of peanut butter, but better- known as a respected and nationally renowned inventor and botanist after being born into slavery in 1864. (Premieres Saturday.)

* August Wilson, a Pulitzer Prize-winning and a Tony Award- winning playwright, whose most acclaimed works are a cycle of 10 plays, each set in a different decade and each depicting the comedy and tragedy of the African- American experience in the 20th century. (Feb. 17.)

* Mae C. Jemison, who in 1992 made history when she became the first African-American woman to travel into space aboard the shuttle Endeavour. (Feb. 24.)

Additionally, Nick Jr.'s Web site, NickJr.com, will offer 16 printable trading cards that feature notable African-Americans from all walks of life including: writer Toni Morrison, artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, politician Shirley Chisholm, Beyonce Knowles, Nat King Cole and Tiger Woods, among others. *