This premier episode highlights the musical groups Nite-Lighters and New Birth. Rev James Cleveland Choir performs gospel sets. Maxine Weldone sings two Broadway songs. James Earl Jones interviews, sports figures Jim Brown and Ray Mays. Actor, dancer Paula Kelly is interviewed about her support of a cultural dance center in Watts and finally, Arnold Dover makes his television debut as a stand-up comedian.
• Hank Clawford • The Friends of Distinction • Cleavon Little • Letta-Mbulu • Richard and Willie
• Franklin Ajaye • Papa John Creach • Hannah Dean • Ron O'Neal • Ester Phillips • Hugh A. Robertson • Alan Weeks
• Shadrack • Eubie Blake • The Slyvers • Goldfinger and Dove • Carmen McRae
• Lou Rawls • Paula Kelly • Althea Gibson • Yvonne Brathwaite Burke • Luther Ingram • Beah Richards • Oscar Brown Jr. • Jean Pace
• The Bar-Kays • Sondra "Blinky" Williams • The Crusaders • Jim McMillian • Gene Washington • Paul Mooney
• Odetta • Little Dion • The Spinners • Dr. Alvin Poussaint • Dr. William Grier
• La Verne Williams • Slappy White • Scoey Mitchell • Caribbean Allstars Steel Band • Freddie Hubbard
• Rufus Thomas • Richard Pryor • Caroline Blakey • Jimmy Smith • Bernie Casey
• Willie Bobo • Alex Haley • Michell Simmons • Oscar Brown, Jr. • Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee • Quasi Badu • Elvin Jones
• The Edwin Hawkins Singers • Dr. Don Shirley • The Voices of Deliverance • Cicely Tyson
• Ahmad Jamal • Abbey Lincoln • Jimmy Witherspoon • Taj Mahal
• Gloria Lynne • Charles White • Stu Gilliam • Ester Phillips • Ahmad Jamal • Ray Scott