Tavis Smiley on PBS, returning for its 12th season on Monday, Jan. 12, will feature a two-part, exclusive joint interview during its premiere week with the only two African Americans in the U.S. Senate – New Jersey Democrat Cory Booker, and South Carolina Republican Tim Scott.

Conducted at the studios of WHUT at Howard University in Washington, D.C., the conversation touches on a wide range of subjects. Among other topics, Senator Scott breaks down his four-part Opportunity Agenda — the SKILLS Act (the SEA Jobs Act, the CHOICE Act, and the LEAP Act). Senator Booker talks at length about our broken criminal justice system and the urgent need for reform. Both reflect on their similarities and differences and their genuine interest in understanding and collaborating with one another.

Cory Booker and Tim Scott are the first African Americans since Reconstruction to serve simultaneously in the Senate. While they represent opposing political parties, Smiley said the joint interview is “an example of the kind of bipartisanship you don’t often see in Washington.” Their ability to speak thoughtfully and civilly to one another despite their divergent points of view, Smiley said, should serve as a lesson to both Democrats and Republicans that conversations free of partisan sniping and vitriol are possible across the political aisle.

The conversation with Senators Booker and Scott will air on PBS stations on Tuesday, Jan. 13 and Wednesday, Jan. 14. Check local listings for time and channel.

Tavis Smiley on PBS has more exciting programming planned for its 12th season premiere week.

The opening show, on Monday, Jan. 12, will feature a look at Haiti on the fifth anniversary of the 2010 earthquake that devastated the island nation, and a conversation with Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard, who was just honored as best actor by the New York Critics Film Circle for her performance in the 2014 film,Two Days, One Night.

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