PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR
Black History Mini Docs salutes the great poet, novelist and playwright Paul Laurence Dunbar was born on June 27, 1872. He wrote the lyrics for the musical comedy “In Dahomey”, the first all Black musical produced on Broadway in New York in 1903.

JAMES WELDON JOHNSON
Born on June 17, 1871, in Jacksonville, Florida, James Weldon Johnson distinguished himself equally as a man of letters and as a civil rights leader in the early decades of the twentieth century. A author, educator, lawyer, diplomat, songwriter, Johnson was credited with bringing a new standard of artistry and realism to black literature. 

LOUIS GOSSETT JR. - BLACK HISTORY MIN DOCS 

Join Black History Mini Docs for the premiere of our mini doc in honor of actor and humanitarian Louis Gossett, Jr. This special presentation was narrated by our curator Neema Barnette and features her own personal insight to this great man whose talent, charisma, and dedication left an indelible mark on Hollywood.

BESSIE COLEMAN - BLACK HISTORY MIN DOCS

Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman born on January 26, 1892 was an American civil aviator. She was the first female pilot of African-American descent and the first person Black person to hold an international pilot license. 

BLACK HISTORY MIN DOCS - NELLA LARSEN

Honoring welterweight and middleweight boxing champion Sugar Ray Robinson born Walker Smith Jr. on  May 3, 1921, who competed from 1940 to 1965.  He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He is widely regarded as the greatest boxer of all time.

MUDDY WATERS - BLACK HISTORY MIN DOCS

Generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues" McKinley Morganfield (April 4, 1915 – April 30, 1983), better known as Muddy Waters, was a major inspiration for the British blues explosion in the 1960s. Muddy Waters transformed the soul of the rural South into the sound of the city, electrifying the blues at a pivotal point in History.

MAMIE TILL MOBLEY - BLACK HISTORY MIN DOCS

Congressional Gold Medal recipient #MamieTillMobley was born on November 23, 1921. After the abduction and lynching of her son #EmmettTill in 1955, Till-Mobley became an important civil rights activist and a teacher. 

FORGOTTEN SHEROES OF WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Honoring the accomplishments of well known and unsung women and their contributions to the world. Explore the lives of Lucy E. Parsons, Vinnette Carroll, Miriam Makeba, Harriet E. Wilson,  Lula Turley Murphy, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Dorothy Height and more.

BLACK HISTORY MIN DOCS - NELLA LARSEN

Nella Larsen born on April 13, 1891 in Chicago, was a novelist of the Harlem Renaissance. Working as a nurse and a librarian, she published two novels, Quicksand (1928) and Passing (1929). Her works have been the subjects of numerous academic studies .

BLACK HISTORY MIN DOCS - ROBERT SMALLS

Abolitionist freedom fighter Robert Smalls born on April 5, 1839 was an enslaved African who, during and after the American Civil War, became a ship's pilot, sea captain, and politician.

BLACK HISTORY MIN DOCS - GIL SCOTT-HERON

Gilbert "Gil" Scott-Heron born on April 1, 1949 was an soul and jazz poet, musician, and author, known primarily for his work as a spoken word performer in the 1970s and '80s. His collaborative efforts with musician Brian Jackson featured a musical fusion of jazz, blues, and soul, as well as lyrical content concerning social and political issues of the time.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS  - JIM KELLY

Athlete, actor, and martial artist action star Jim Kelly born on May 5, 1946 rose to fame appearing opposite Bruce Lee in the 1973 martial arts action film Enter the Dragon. Kelly became the first black martial arts film star.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS  - MADAME C.J. WALKER

Athlete, actor, and martial artist action star Jim Kelly born on May 5, 1946 rose to fame appearing opposite Bruce Lee in the 1973 martial arts action film Enter the Dragon. Kelly became the first black martial arts film star.

BHMD - ADAM CLAYTON POWELL, JR.

Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. (November 29, 1908 – April 4, 1972) was a pastor of the largest black church in America and an politician, who represented Harlem, in the United States House of Representatives (1945 – 1971). During his distinguished congressional career, Powell is credited as passing more bed-rock legislation then any other congressmen in American history, even up to today.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - BLACK PANTHER PARTY In honor of the 50th anniversary of the formation of the black Panther Party BHMD presents The Black Panthers. (originally the Black Panther Party for Self-Defense) a revolutionary black nationalist and socialist organization active in the United States from 1966 until 1982, with its only international chapter operating in Algeria from 1969 until 1972.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - WOODY STRODE

Woodrow Wilson Woolwine "Woody" Strode (July 25, 1914 – December 31, 1994) was a decathlete and football star who went on to become a pioneering African American film actor. He was nominated for a Golden Globe award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Spartacus in 1960.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - PAM GRIER

She is considered the greatest American action female star of all time. Pam Grier was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina May 26, 1949. She did more to even the playing field in Hollywood and the world, even up to today.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - ANNIE MALONE

If you thought Madam C. J. Walker was the first black millionaire, think again. Annie Minerva Turnbo Malone (August 9, 1869 – May 10, 1957) was the real first millionaire businesswoman and with no tragic end to her story. She was a chemist entrepreneur, philanthropist, educator and lived up until the grand age of 87. Click to watch our Mini Doc on her life now.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - JAMES BALDWIN

Novelist, playwright, essayist, poet, human and civil rights activist James Baldwin born on August 2, 1924 was loved by many for his no-nonsense, straight to the point approach in dealing with the social inequities during his lifetime and that sadly still exist today.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - IDA B. WELLS

Ida Bell Wells-Barnett (July 16, 1862 – March 25, 1931)  was an African-American journalist, newspaper editor, suffragist, sociologist, and an early leader in the civil rights movement. She documented lynching in the United States, showing that it was often used as a way to control or punish blacks who competed with whites, rather than being based in criminal acts by blacks, as was usually claimed by white mobs. 

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - LANGSTON HUGHES

Poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist James Mercer #LangstonHughes born in 1902 was one of the earliest innovators of the literary art form called jazz #poetry. Hughes is best known as a leader of the #HarlemRenaissance in New York City. 

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - FREDERICK DOUGLASS 

Frederick Douglass (February 1818 – February 20, 1895) African-American social reformer, orator, writer, and statesman. After escaping from slavery, he became a leader of the abolitionist movement, gaining note for his dazzling oratory and incisive antislavery writing. 

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - JUDITH JAMISON

Judith Jamison born on May 10, 1943 is among the most influential Black dance figures of the late 20th Century. She began her dance career at the age of ten and served as the Artistic Director at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 1989 to 2011. Her efforts in the dance industry also opened the doors for many young aspiring women who love the art of dance.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - DIANA SANDS

She could cry at the drop of a hat! #DianaSands, a power house of a actress, was born on August 22,1939. Sands became a pioneer in colorblind casting as one of the first Black actresses to earn a role intended for a white actress. Please watch our #BHMD mini doc in celebration of her life on the anniversary of her birth. 

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - NINA SIMONE. 

There was truly no one like #NinaSimone born on February 21, 1933. She composed over 500 songs, recorded almost 60 albums. The first woman to win the Jazz Cultural Award "Woman of the Year" 1966. In the 1960s, Nina Simone was part of the civil rights movement and later the black power movement. Her songs are considered as anthems of those movements.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - MUHAMMAD ALI

Boxing champion #MuhammadAli born Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr on January 17, 1942 is generally considered the #GOAT in all of sport's history.  In fact he is the person of who the term GOAT originated.  A giant inside the ring and out is respected for his masterful skills as a boxer and his principles as a human being.

BLACK HISTORY MINI DOCS - MARCUS GARVEY

MARCUS GARVEY (August 17, 1887 – June 10, 1940), was a phenomenal Black Nationalist and Pan-Africanism Movement leader who inspired the Nation of Islam, the Rastafarian Movement and millions of black people around the world.