Charles River Wheelers

Major Taylor Documentary

2024-02-16 7:21 AM | John O'Dowd (Administrator)

What better way for us cyclists to celebrate Black History Month?

PBS will broadcast a new documentary, "Major Taylor: Champion of the Race," at 8 p.m. EST Monday, Feb. 26, on WTIU in Bloomington, Ind. The film will be livestreamed nationwide at the same time via the PBS App and YouTube, and will be available to stream on demand after that.

The one-hour film explores the life and legacy of the fastest bicycle rider in the world at the turn of the 20th century, featuring interviews with noted historians, athletes, and social justice advocates. It is narrated by acclaimed mezzo-soprano opera singer Marietta Simpson, with Grammy-winning jazz musician Branford Marsalis reading passages from Major Taylor's autobiography. Original music is composed and performed by Emmy-winning musical director Tyron Cooper.

For details, visit wtiu. org/ majortaylor.


Comments

  • 2024-02-19 5:42 PM | Barbara Jacobs (Administrator)
    There is a fundraising event for the Whirlwind film project in our own backyard at Concord Art on Monday, February 26 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

    Attached is an invitation.
    Here’s a link to RSVP https://www.worcesterwhirlwind.com/event-details/the-whirlwind-project

    An RSVP is required as space is limited.

    Whirlwind tells the life story of Marshall “Major” Taylor who was America’s first Black World Champion. He became the world’s fastest man on a bicycle in 1899. He was breaking records and barriers years before Jack Johnson, Jesse Owens, and Jackie Robertson.

    Major Taylor: The first Black American global sports superstar
    He shattered world records abroad but was shunned at home. Now, the greatest athlete you've never heard of could receive the US' highest civilian honor.

    The fundraiser is to help Cyrille Vincent, a talented young filmmaker, make this documentary a reality.

    Below is a news article from a recent BBC story about Major Taylor. The article references Cyrille and the film.
    https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20240131-major-taylor-the-first-black-american-global-sports-superstar
    Link  •  Reply

© Charles River Wheelers, a 501(c)3 Organization

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software