Tue, Oct 19, 2021
Black soldiers have been an instrumental part of the armed forces since the Civil War. They put their lives on their line for their country and entered war to protect the very land that didn't promise to protect them. Despite experiencing inferior treatment while in combat, Black soldiers took the honor to serve seriously and accepted the call for battle no matter what was at stake. However, in 1948, President Truman desegregated the US armed forces, allowing Black soldiers to fight alongside their white counterparts. To this day, Black service men and women continue to serve, gain rank, and grow in the United States government. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Vincent Brown of Harvard University, Imani Perry of Princeton University, and Peniel Joseph from the University of Texas at Austin - we honor the sacrifices of the Black soldiers who courageously and consistently answer the call for war.
Fri, Nov 12, 2021
The 15th Amendment was a monumental piece of legislation that gave Black men the right to vote. As a result of it, over 2,000 African-American men would be elected to office at various levels of government. But the amendment became more notable for what it didn't say, versus what it did. Loopholes in the law allowed for voter suppression tactics to rise, which directly hindered the advancement of Black voters' rights and the election of Black officials. It wouldn't be until the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that an all-encompassing law would pass, guaranteeing voting rights for all African-Americans. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Eric Foner of Columbia University, Heather Cox Richardson of Boston College, and Kidada Williams of Wayne State University, we look at the ongoing journey to obtain, implement, and protect a civic duty that all Black Americans should have.
Fri, Nov 19, 2021
Well before formal legislation was passed, promising freed slaves certain land rights, Black farmers traveled west, exploring, and developing heavily forested land. With tons of experience in their pockets, migrating west made sense and allowed Black farmers and their families a safe place to live and grow. But like most of America's history, White settlers began to impose new laws and tactics on the once uncharted territory. Eventually, the land Black farmers cleared, plowed, and cultivated prohibited - either directly or indirectly - their existence in those spaces. Through violence, theft, and other mischievous practices, many Black farmers lost their ability to inhabit land they founded and worked on. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Imani Perry of Princeton University and Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University, we look at the plight of Black farmers and how systemic behavior of the 1800s is still felt in the agriculture sector today.
Fri, Dec 3, 2021
The lynching of Emmett Till in 1955 became a pivotal point for race relations in the United States. Instead of sitting by silently, his mother, Mamie Till Mobley, opted to utilize the media in a way it had not been used before. She decided to hold an open casket viewing, welcoming as many people as she could to view her son's body, including Jet Magazine. With the gruesome images making their way around, She used her grief to not only tell the story of her son, but to push the Civil Rights Movement into a new era. Her selflessness led to the mass media becoming an important device for the Civil Rights Movement. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Peniel Joseph of the University of Texas, Austin, Farah Griffin of Columbia University and Chris Benson, the author of The Death of Innocence - we honor Mamie Till Mobley and the legacy of her bravery.
Fri, Dec 10, 2021
In 2019, researchers were able to properly authenticate the last known slave ship to enter the United States illegally. That ship, The Clotida, was found in the Mobile River in Southern Alabama. A slave trader named Timothy Meaher arranged with a king in an African nation to purchase one hundred slaves and transport them to Alabama. With treacherous conditions and little food, those who survived would be enslaved until the formal emancipation efforts commenced. While emancipation meant freedom on paper, freed slaves quickly learned that their efforts were best served creating their own community called Africatown. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., with additional commentary from Imani Perry of Princeton University, we take a look at an important piece of history that tells the story of the last known slave ship to enter the United States.
Fri, Dec 17, 2021
As the US economy began to boom after World War II, so did the demand for alternate means of transportation. While personal car usage rose and the highway system was created, many Black people relied heavily on public transit as their primary mode of transportation day-to-day. Jim Crow's separate but equal not only impacted restaurants and schools, but it also led to the segregation of travel on buses. Black patrons in Winston Salem, North Carolina, frustrated with limited routes, took matters into their own hands. From jitney's organizing, to the creation of the Safe Bus Company, Black patrons began to implement multiple options on their journey to safe travel. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Daina Berry of The University of Texas, Imani Perry of Princeton University and Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University, we look at how Black people organized safer travel during a time of segregation.
Fri, Jan 7, 2022
As Black families left the South, their migration allowed them to bring their religion and musical practices along with them. But it would be one man in particular, Thomas Dorsey, who would find himself in the middle of a Chicago community that was fertile with opportunities. Dorsey recognized that at every corner sat either a blues spot, a jazz club, or a church. Submitting to the beautiful jingles around him, he fused together the sounds and struggles of Black people and went on a tour to introduce his newfound genre called gospel. With his innovative outlook, gospel found its way into pulpits in Chicago. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Rev. James Bryson, Jr. of First Church of Deliverance, Imani Perry of Princeton University, and Fredara Hadley of The Juilliard School, we take a look at how the Great Migration benefited Black people, leading to the creation of a new genre of music.
Fri, Jan 14, 2022
In 1730, Job Ben Solomon - a Senegalese man and active slave trader - was captured during an excursion in the Gambian River region. Once stateside, he was imprisoned for attempting to escape from Maryland. After writing a letter to his family back home, it was intercepted by a prominent US figure, James Oglethorpe, who arranged Job's freedom and sent him to London. From there, Job's imprint expanded on the international scene. By 1734, he was back in Senegal, starting life over after his time in captivity and abroad. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Sylviane A. Diouf of Brown University, Daina Ramey Berry of the University of Texas and Imani Perry of Princeton University - we look at an important figure whose life allowed us an opportunity to understand the many ways at which native Africans existed, practiced religion, and navigated during the Atlantic slave trade.
Fri, Jan 21, 2022
From the inception of the United States, Black soldiers have answered the call to serve on the front lines. And in 1944, the US government created the GI Bill, providing benefits and offerings like job training, loans for school and access to mortgages for soldiers who serve their country. The bill should have changed the landscape for Black soldiers returning home. However, specific wording in the formal piece of legislature combined with the decision to allow states to regulate the program meant Black people were subjected to the same discrimination and exclusionary practices as years prior. While Black people continue to serve in the armed forces, the effects of the discriminatory practices are still felt and seen to this day. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University, Angela Glover Blackwell, Founder in Residence- Policylink, and Lawrence Bobo of Harvard University - we will take a look at a bill that was seen as a major education and social mobility investment for soldiers but instead, it turned out to be the opposite for many Black soldiers.
Fri, Jan 28, 2022
Despite continued exclusionary practices, Black Americans slowly but surely made their way into the workforce after the Civil War. With continued persistence and perseverance, they earned greater opportunities to advance professionally as the years progressed. In 1972, Vernon Jordan became the first Black person to sit on a corporate board in the United States. As a result of his presence, he opened the door for Johnson Products, the first Black-owned business, to be listed on the American stock exchange. From TV Networks, to CEOs, Black professionals continue to find new ways to shine, even though Corporate America still struggles to fully integrate. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Vernon Jordan, Civil Rights Activist, Robert L. Johnson, an entrepreneur, and Michelle Alexander, a civil rights lawyer and author, we celebrate the journey of Black professionals to enter the stock exchange as they elevated Black access, brands, and opportunities.
Fri, Feb 4, 2022
While the Civil Rights Movement continued to spread across the US and the feminist movement evolved, one group felt neither movement really addressed their existence: Black women. As a result, the National Black Feminist Organization (NBFO) was formed. The NBFO sought to meet at the intersection of racism and sexism, all the while pushing an agenda that created policies and protections for Black women. Even as they grew, another group, The Combahee River Collective Statement, recognized that important components like sexuality and the "everyday working woman" were missing from the conversation. In the end, the 1970s saw a much-needed introduction to Black feminist organizations that wanted to ensure the Black woman and her presence in society was not overlooked. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Imani Perry of Princeton University, Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University and Daina Berry of The University of Texas, we celebrate a group of women who laid the foundation for the advancement of Black women that we still recognize and see to this day.
Fri, Feb 11, 2022
Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination not only further ignited the civil rights movement, but it also inspired students in the collegiate setting to revolutionize the spaces that didn't fully accept their existence. From coast to coast, Black students demanded more, not only of their educational institutions, but also of themselves. Focused on self-determination and control, Black student activists followed the Black Power Movement and disrupted traditional "white" spaces while doing so. As a result, college admissions of Black people increased, Black faculty hiring rose, and a formal Black Studies curriculum was created. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., with additional commentary from Peniel Joseph of The University of Texas at Austin, and Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University, we celebrate a transformative movement led by Black students who sought to radicalize education and self-improvement along the way.
Fri, Feb 18, 2022
Brenda Travis of McComb, Mississippi, encountered the dangers of merely existing in Jim Crow's America as a child after witnessing her brother's unlawful arrest in the middle of the night. It would be that event that inspired a young Travis to enter the arena, ready and willing to fight for injustice. After partnering with a civil rights organizer in town, 16-year-old Travis led a sit-in at the local Greyhound bus station. She became known as a member of the McComb Five, where she'd not only be the youngest participant, but the only woman in the movement. Despite being jailed for a month and expelled from school, Travis' existence and hunger for justice elevated the local movement which sparked strikes and marches. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., with additional commentary from Imani Perry of Princeton University and Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University, we look at a young activist who quickly recognized the power in rallying like-minded people in the name of advanced equal rights for all.
Fri, Feb 25, 2022
While more Black students sought formal education in a university setting, white organizations were not as open to embracing them into their space. Seeing a need, Black students formed their own fraternities and sororities aimed at creating community and celebrating key principles of success. With education, community service, and philanthropy as their focal point, these organizations were able to foster academic and personal excellence on their own terms. As a result, Black Greek letter organizations created the National Pan-Hellenic Council, totaling nine organizations with like-minded agendas. Each of those organizations continue to be pivotal in the continued advancement of Black people. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., with additional commentary from Daina Ramey Berry of The University of Texas at Austin and Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University, we celebrate the beauty in unity and what these nine divine organizations could achieve when told they were not welcomed.
Fri, Mar 11, 2022
Nothing seemed more urgent than the collective quest of Black freedom after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although Black men and women shared the same mission and skin color, their commitment to the cause manifested in very different ways. James Cone, a highly regarded professor, preached about Black liberation at the center of the gospel. His elevated teaching not only inspired followers but it also provided an alternate theology that shifted the power of the church. But with that change came a host of women who recognized that his change meant staying the same for them. Womanist Theology served as an equally thought out and informative message for women whose presence, power, and contribution to the Black church weren't always acknowledged. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Imani Perry of Princeton University, Anthony Pinn of Rice University and Barbara Savage of The University of Pennsylvania, we take a look at how the church's effort to preach freedom shifted the landscape of religion from the pulpit to the pew.
Fri, Mar 4, 2022
Black women have been no stranger to organizing since America's earliest inception. But it would be during the Reconstruction era that Black women were able to elevate their messaging and form their own group called the Women's Club. Focused on holding America to its founding principles, women across the country gathered to highlight injustices like lynching. The success of these meetings led to the formation of the National Association of Colored Women, where the group's scope widened to include issues, such as voting rights, housing, and other race-related matters. Despite many male figures protesting women as they utilized their voices, the Women's Club movement became a vital part in supporting women and their right to speak and organize. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Daina Ramey Berry of the University of Texas, Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham of Harvard University and Imani Perry of Princeton University - we look at how women uplifted one another as they climbed their way to the top.
Fri, Mar 18, 2022
Nothing seemed more urgent than the collective quest of Black freedom after the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although Black men and women shared the same mission and skin color, their commitment to the cause manifested in very different ways. James Cone, a highly regarded professor, preached about Black liberation at the center of the gospel. His elevated teaching not only inspired followers but it also provided an alternate theology that shifted the power of the church. But with that change came a host of women who recognized that his change meant staying the same for them. Womanist Theology served as an equally thought out and informative message for women whose presence, power, and contribution to the Black church weren't always acknowledged. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Imani Perry of Princeton University, Anthony Pinn of Rice University and Barbara Savage of The University of Pennsylvania, we take a look at how the church's effort to preach freedom shifted the landscape of religion from the pulpit to the pew.
Fri, Mar 25, 2022
The 1893 World Fair took place in Chicago, Illinois, welcoming countries from around the world to feature their contributions for everyone to see. With the festival's arrival stateside, key Black leaders, such as Ida B. Wells and Frederick Douglas, joined forces to highlight the advancement of Black people post-Civil War. However, the organizers refused to give the duo a formal exhibition space. As a result, Wells and Douglas used their own talents by creating a pamphlet that celebrated African-American achievements and calling attention to the harsh treatment Southern White Americans were subjecting Black citizens. In the end, a formal "Negro Day" was created, where Douglas took the stage, charging America's leaders to hold up the words of their beloved constitution. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Chad Williams of Brandeis University, Nikole Hannah-Jones of The New York Times and Mia Bay of the University of Pennsylvania, we celebrate two Black leaders who entered the international arena with hopes of highlighting the achievements of Black Americans.
Fri, Apr 1, 2022
Baseball is one of America's staples that dates back to the 1800s. And while the culture of catchy tunes and snacks are shared from coast to coast, the journey to inclusivity was a long, hard, and well-earned fight for Black athletes. Prior to the formal creation of the National Baseball League in 1876, Black and White players played baseball together. But, as separate but equal became the law of the land, restrictions and limitations entered the sports world, forcing Black players to develop their own Negro League. Eventually, Jackie Robinson would cross the color lines to create a space for integration to be possible. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Imani Perry of Princeton University and Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University, we celebrate the 100 year anniversary of the integration of the National Baseball League, all the while paying homage to the men who created a space for excellence when the White community opted for separation.
Fri, Apr 8, 2022
America entered a special moment where freedom rang high and many of the promises of the constitution appeared to - in some ways - allow Black people to enjoy freedom and rights that were never seen before. From running for office, to voting and purchasing land, Black families had what appeared to be a real chance at thriving. However, by 1877, the costs became too much and white government officials began to figure out ways to work around the amendments that guaranteed Black people their freedom. With the Supreme Court on their side, many states began to roll back the rights of Black people. It would be nearly 100 years before legislation would come to pass that would protect many of the rights promised in the constitution. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Heather Cox Richardson of Boston College and Steven Hahn of New York University - we look at the various ways Black people experienced a reduction in rights, all by the hands of white privilege.
Fri, Apr 15, 2022
Even though slavery ended in the 1860s, free Black Americans made up 10% of the United States Black population. While the rest of the population was made up of slaves, those who escaped quickly learned that freedom didn't mean access. As the United States expanded, many now western states passed rules and regulations that made it difficult for Black citizens to successfully enter society. Ultimately, Black people opted to stay in the south, close to family, and in a better economic condition. Despite countless efforts to rob Black people of their rights, freed Black leaders made sure Black people were supported in their transition from slavery to freedom. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Vincent Brown of Harvard University and author Kate Clifford Larson - we learn about the often under told story of the free Black American.
Fri, Apr 22, 2022
College campuses became integral in the quest for social reform in the 1960s. With large numbers of Black students already present, campuses allowed young people an opportunity to ensure their voices were not only heard, but that their abilities to march were possible. Unfortunately, peaceful protests were met with extreme violence from the police. Two historically black colleges and universities made national headlines as a result of multiple deaths and injuries at the hands of Black protesters. The fight in the 1960s still lives on today, with much of the same obstacles in place. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., with additional commentary from Imani Perry of Princeton University and Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University, we take a look at how college students gathered together in the name of social justice reform, all the while fighting a system that failed to protect their basic liberties.
Fri, Apr 29, 2022
College campuses became integral in the quest for social reform in the 1960s. With large numbers of Black students already present, campuses allowed young people an opportunity to ensure their voices were not only heard, but that their abilities to march were possible. Unfortunately, peaceful protests were met with extreme violence from the police. Two historically black colleges and universities made national headlines as a result of multiple deaths and injuries at the hands of Black protesters. The fight in the 1960s still lives on today, with much of the same obstacles in place. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., with additional commentary from Imani Perry of Princeton University and Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University, we take a look at how college students gathered together in the name of social justice reform, all the while fighting a system that failed to protect their basic liberties.
Fri, May 6, 2022
In 1955, Charles Diggs Jr. became the first Black person from Michigan elected to the House of Representatives. His election paved the way for more Black politicians to enter an arena that often times represented them by district but never really looked like them in session. As the numbers grew, Diggs created what would be known as the precursor to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Democratic Select Committee. Diggs realized there was power in numbers and Black leaders were in a prime spot to influence, develop legislature, and support marginalized groups. By 1971, the CBC was formed, and while it was met with resistance by Richard Nixon's administration, Black leaders held their ground and forced Nixon's hands in acknowledging their existence. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University - we celebrate a group of Black congressional leaders who continue to be the voice for marginalized groups today.
Fri, May 13, 2022
As the nation dealt with the darkness of the Great Depression, a Black leader by the name of Father Major Jealous Divine rose from the shadows. His message resonated with many as he identified himself as God in the human flesh. Preaching the power of the mind and positive thinking, the Peace Mission Movement was created. Followers would give their life to Father Divine, relinquishing all worldly possessions as the entered communal living. While his movement wouldn't last long, Father Divine goes down in history as an influential leader who was able to provide - albeit through controversial moves, - shelter, food, and other necessities to Black people during the Great Depression. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Judith Weisenfeld of Princeton University, Imani Perry of Princeton University, and Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University - we look at a pivotal leader who said all the right things but whose provocative actions led to his demise.
Fri, May 20, 2022
In November 1870, four Black students created their own safe space to study in a Washington D.C. church. That space would eventually become the first Black public school, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. Dunbar High became the standard for academic excellence as Black students in attendance were exposed to more than just industrial education. The excitement spread, leading to Black educators finding unique ways to elevate the access and curriculum for Black students across the United States. Even as the country began to integrate, Black students and educators learned that integrated education didn't mean fair education. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. - with additional commentary from Imani Perry of Princeton University, Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University, Daina Ramey Berry of The University of Texas, and Lawrence Bobo of Harvard University - we celebrate educators who refused to lower the bar and used their resources to ensure Black students achieved exceptional academic heights.
Fri, May 27, 2022
Black contributions in the volunteer and civic space have been around since the Revolutionary War. Out of those spaces came formal organizations aimed at redefining American democracy. One of the leading figures in creating a Black fraternal organization was Prince Hall. He, along with 14 other Black men, brought Freemasonry to the United States after being inducted into a regimental lodge of the British Army in 1775. With this knowledge, the fraternal organization laid the foundation to share secrets, pass down important knowledge, and disrupt politics and race relations as America knew it. Since then, Black fraternities and sororities have become critical in advancing rights for Black American's at every point in history.