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What: “Raising the Roof: Heroes of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”

Where: Channel 7, Saturday, 3 p.m.

ABC marks the start of “Black History Month” with an outstanding one-hour documentary profiling a group of African American sports stars, from tennis’ Althea Gibson to Minnesota Viking quarterback Daunte Culpepper.

Gibson preceded Arthur Ashe by 10 years as the first African American Wimbledon champion. She won in 1957 and ‘58, and also won the U.S. Open, then the U.S. Championships, the same years. Gibson today leads a reclusive life and was not interviewed for this special, but her story is well told through interviews with friends and family, personal photos and old footage.

There is also a segment on black baseball managers. It focuses on Dusty Baker of the San Francisco Giants, the National League manager of the year, and Jerry Manuel of the Chicago White Sox, the American League manager of the year.

A segment on black quarterbacks features Culpepper and his early struggles in life. His mother gave birth to him in prison while serving time for armed robbery and gave him up to be raised by Emma Culpepper, who included him in her family of 14 children. Also chronicled are Doug Williams, the first black quarterback to play in the Super Bowl, and Marlin Briscoe, who played for the Denver Broncos in the AFL. But the best story is that of Willie Thrower. He was the first black quarterback in the Big Ten, at Michigan State, and in the NFL with the Chicago Bears in 1953. Thrower, 70, now lives in relative obscurity in New Kensington, Pa.

The final segment is about Magic Johnson and how he has succeeded in the business world.

John Saunders serves as host of the special.