Avon Kirkland

Avon Kirkland is a native of Jacksonville, Florida, a graduate of Clark Atlanta University and Washington University in St. Louis (Ph.D., Organic Chemistry). He worked as a research scientist and educational publishing executive before starting his career in television in 1974. Since then his work as a producer, director and writer has focused on creating films that explore the rich but not widely acknowledged history and culture of African Americans and their contributions to the American democratic experiment. In 1978 Kirkland created his first production, the groundbreaking, 25 part drama series, UP & COMING. Set in San Francisco, the series focused on the struggles of a striving black family to cope with daily life challenges and achieve a sense of well being. The series was the first of its kind to be broadcast in prime time of PBS and featured established stars like Esther Rolle and then newcomers Danny Glover and Peter Coyote. UP & COMING was widely hailed for its realism and p