Helen Pregulman, right, speaks to honoree John P. Franklin at the Chattanooga History Center’s ninth annual History Makers Luncheon at the Chattanooga Convention Center on Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2014, in Chattanooga, Tenn.WTCI plans to air a documentary celebrating the life and career of John Porter Franklin Sr. on Thanksgiving at 8 p.m., according to a news release from WTCI.
Franklin has been a leader in education, business and politics in Chattanooga for more than 60 years, the release said. Elected in 1970 as Commissioner of Education and Health, Franklin was the first African American elected in Chattanooga since the Jim Crow laws were enacted, according to the release.
The documentary was presented at the 9th Annual History Makers Awards Luncheon to benefit the Chattanooga History Center, the release stated.
The documentary will also air on Friday, Dec. 19 at 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m. The documentary will be available online at wtciTV.org.