Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In 1969, singer, actor, poet, and filmmaker Eugene Osborne "Oz" Smith performed his poem "Just Like You" on WNET's Black Journal — a commentary on humanity across race, class, and experience. At a moment when Black Americans were asking hard questions about where the civil rights movement was heading and what came next, Smith turned those questions into verse.
Born February 14, 1927, Oz Smith spent his early years as an artist in Harlem, going on to serve in multiple branches of the U.S. military, perform on Broadway, and record solo albums for Capitol Records and Argo.
Subscribe to a THIRTEEN newsletter to stay informed: thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=tp_bhm&utm_id=2026_tp_bhm
This April, for National Poetry Month, THIRTEEN celebrates voices in verses, stories of artistry and expression, and special selections from the THIRTEEN archives.
"Black Journal" was a monthly series of one-hour interconnected programs produced for, about, and – to a large extent – by Black Americans. The series reports on the achievements, the concerns, and the attitudes of the nation’s Black citizens.
#NationalPoetryMonth #OzSmith #BlackJournal #Poetry #Harlem #NewYorkCity #Archives #THIRTEEN #THIRTEENWNET
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THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
In 1969, singer, actor, poet, and filmmaker Eugene Osborne "Oz" Smith performed his poem "Just Like You" on WNET's Black Journal — a commentary on humanity across race, class, and experience. At a moment when Black Americans were asking hard questions about where the civil rights movement was heading and what came next, Smith turned those questions into verse.
Born February 14, 1927, Oz Smith spent his early years as an artist in Harlem, going on to serve in multiple branches of the U.S. military, perform on Broadway, and record solo albums for Capitol Records and Argo.
Subscribe to a THIRTEEN newsletter to stay informed: thirteen.org/email-preferences/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=tp_bhm&utm_id=2026_tp_bhm
This April, for National Poetry Month, THIRTEEN celebrates voices in verses, stories of artistry and expression, and special selections from the THIRTEEN archives.
"Black Journal" was a monthly series of one-hour interconnected programs produced for, about, and – to a large extent – by Black Americans. The series reports on the achievements, the concerns, and the attitudes of the nation’s Black citizens.
#NationalPoetryMonth #OzSmith #BlackJournal #Poetry #Harlem #NewYorkCity #Archives #THIRTEEN #THIRTEENWNET
Please SUBSCRIBE if you enjoyed: youtube.com/@ThirteenWNET?sub_confirmation=1
For full episodes, check out thirteen.org
Facebook: facebook.com/thirteenwnet
Instagram: instagram.com/thirteenwnet
TikTok: tiktok.com/@thirteenwnet
-----------------
THIRTEEN is one of America’s most respected and innovative public media providers. Part of The WNET Group, THIRTEEN is a unique cultural and educational institution that harnesses the power of television and electronic media to inform, enlighten, entertain and inspire. The flagship public television station of the New York City tri-state area and the most-watched public television channel in the nation, THIRTEEN reaches millions of people with programming that celebrates arts and culture, offers insightful commentary on the news of the day, explores the worlds of science and nature, and invites people of all ages to have fun while learning.
