It can be frustrating to explain the Black experience in the United States, in part because Black history in America is comprised of so many different experiences. Some are well-known, like slavery, while others are less-known, such as the story of free Black people in New Orleans during the antebellum period. That’s why Black documentaries can be so exciting; there are so many things to learn about.
Hearing about personal experiences straight from the source can provide a deeper understanding of how those lives were lived, which is why the following documentaries—by providing insight into different aspects of the Black experience—can help create a fuller, more complete understanding of the people around you. And isn’t that what we should all want, no matter who we are?
Keep reading for our recommendations of 21 Black documentaries that educate, entertain and inspire.
Related: FromBecomingtoHomecoming, These Are the Best Black Movies on Netflix
Black documentaries
Hip-Hop Evolution
Hip-hop’s come a long way, baby. From the 1970s until today, this style of music emerged from Black, inner-city neighborhoods to become a mega-popular genre among white suburban and upper-class neighborhoods, too. This documentary series follows the humble beginnings of hip-hop and follows the music all the way to the sounds and celebs of today. This is a great one to binge; there are 4 seasons worth of hip-hop to learn about.
Where to watch: Netflix
Summer of Soul
The winner of two Sundance Festival awards (and nominated for an Oscar!), The Roots’ Questlove makes his directorial debut with this exploration of the 1969 Harlem Culture Festival. The festival is an oasis compared to the civil unrest that the country had been in. Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, The Fifth Dimension and others entertain and talk about their work here, but as it turns out, because another festival was happening that summer in Woodstock, NY, people lost interest in this footage for a while. Questlove and collaborators snapped it up when they found it. “The fact that 40 hours of this footage was kept from the public is living proof that revisionist history exists," says Questlove. "I want to make sure Black erasure doesn't happen during my lifetime... and the film was an opportunity to work towards that cause." One poignant moment: Mahalia Jackson and Mavis Staples singing "Take My Hand, Precious Lord” and Jesse Jackson explaining how Martin Luther King Jr. had that song on his mind before he died; King was assassinated just one year beforehand.
Where to watch: Hulu and Disney+
Eyes on the Prize
If you’re a Gen X’er, your parents probably had you watching this one as a kid. This documentary series covers the big moments in the civil rights movement from 1954 to the mid 1980s. The march to Edmund Pettus bridge, Rosa Parks staying seated, lunch counter demonstrations, Freedom Riders, Martin Luther King—it’s all here. This series is an excellent primer, and if you don’t know SNCC from SCLC, this series is for you.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
13th
Selma director Ava DuVernay takes on the prison system in this striking documentary, which won a BAFTA and a Peabody Award. The title references the 13th amendment, which abolishes slavery or involuntary servitude in the United States—“except as a punishment of a crime.” The mass incarceration problem in this country is largely based around that, the documentary suggests. You'll have to watch to see if you agree or not.
Where to watch: Netflix and YouTube here.
Slavery By Another Name
This PBS documentary series asks whether the Emancipation Proclamation really freed black people in the United States. Personal narratives and documents are used to show how black people were put in positions that were close to slavery even after the Civil War, primarily through forced labor. This film could be a good companion piece to 13th.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
4 Little Girls
Spike Lee directed this documentary about the 1963 Birmingham, Alabama church bombing that killed four Black girls. Unlike many documentaries that cover this event, this one dives deep into each of the four girls and their personalities to emphasize that they were real people. And somehow, Lee got former GovernorGeorge Wallace to be interviewed for the film.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime Video
Wattstax
Another concert doc (this one was made in 1972), Wattstax boasts a slew of performances from the likes of Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, The Emotions, The Bar Kays, The Staples Singers–even Richard Pryor makes an appearance. The all-day Wattstax event, held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum seven years after the Watts Riots, was staged as a benefit concert by Stax Records. If you want some nostalgia and feel like grooving to artists you may not be familiar with, this could be a good choice.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video
Related: Black Booksellers Recommend 25 Books to Read During Black History Month and Beyond
When We Were Kings
This documentary–which won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 1996–covers the 1974 “Rumble in the Jungle” Zaire boxing between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. All aspects of the fight from planning and the fight itself are discussed, as are the other issues at play. For instance, Ali has an easier time bonding with Africans than Foreman did; there’s a dictator in Zaire who is very interested in the fight.Norman Mailer, George Plimpton, Spike Lee and others are interviewed as well.
Where to watch: The Criterion Channel
Many Rivers to Cross
This PBS documentary series features Professor Henry Louis Gates, who travels to Africa and throughout the United States to provide a complete picture of the Black experience in this country. He finds out about the Africans involved in the slave trade, visits plantations and explores specific personalities along the way.
Where to watch:Amazon Prime Video, Video, iTunes, Google Play
Related: 30 Black Americans to Celebrate During Black History Month
Freedom Riders
“I saw the segregation, the racial discrimination. I saw those signs that said white waiting, colored waiting; white men, colored men... and I wanted to do something about it. And the Freedom Rides was my opportunity to do something about it,” the late, great Congressman John Lewis said about his time as a Freedom Rider. Freedom Riders were young people, both Nlack and white, who traveled together on buses to challenge Jim Crow laws in the deep South. The film, based on the book Freedom Riders: 1961, chronicles these young people and and explores how the movement started and the ramifications of what they did.
(scroll to keep reading)
Related Stories
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Nina Simone, a criminally underappreciated musician who is perhaps best known these days for the song “Feelin’ Good” is the subject of this film, which opened the Sundance Festival in 2015. The documentary provides a look at her entire life, from the time when she hoped to be the first black American classical pianist; finding her way after those dreams were dashed; and her role as an artist during the Civil Rights Era. Simone’s personal struggles are also discussed, from her husband’s abuse to her bipolar diagnosis, which she didn’t receive until the 1980s. Her daughter, who co-produced and also appears onscreen, thinks the film gets her mom right, and we believe her.
Where to watch it: Netflix
I am Not Your Negro
Directed by Raoul Peck, narrated by Samuel L. Jackson and nominated for an Oscar, this documentary explores author James Baldwin through his own words and interviews, with a lens on his unfinished book Remember This House. The book was supposed to be centered around Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers–but he gave it up. Overall, the film focuses on how frustrated Baldwin is with the inability of America to solve its race problems. “This film is like a warning, a last chance,” Peck has said. “It's Baldwin saying, ‘As long as we don't touch these core problems around the so-called American Dream, we can't have a common future.’" Baldwin is magnetic in this film; if you’ve not heard the way he speaks or aren’t familiar with the ferocity of his intelligence and wit, you’ll find it hard not to explore all his work after the film.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
This film, directed by Göran Olsson, explores the Black Power Movement from a non-American perspective. Lost footage captured by Swedish filmmakers at the height of the movement is revealed here. There are interviews with activist Stokely Carmichael, his mother in an impromptu interview, activist Angela Davis and more of those involved in the Black Power Movement, and those are interspersed with contemporary interviews with people like Erykah Badu, the Last Poets' Abiodun Oyewole and rapper Talib Kweli. It’s a look at black culture during one of the most volatile times in U.S. history.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime Video or, you can watch it in full on YouTube here.
High on the Hog: How African-American Cuisine Transformed America
Eating is a necessity, of course, but “soul food” is made to be savored and enjoyed. This documentary tracks how soul food came to be, starting in Africa, running through slavery and all the changes that have happened since. You may be surprised by the culinary history of many American dishes as you watch this film.
Where to watch it: Netflix
They’ve Gotta Have Us
The evolution of Black Hollywood has a fascinating story; Black people weren’t cast for films at all, but today some “black” films make millions of dollars. This film uses interviews with celebs like Whoopi Goldberg, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Debbie Allen, John Boyega and more to talk about the onscreen, offscreen and mean green of what it means to be Black in Hollywood.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Fauborg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans
Free Black people and neighborhoods of free Black persons existed even before the Civil War. And New Orleans had, arguably, the largest group of them. However, this documentary starts with first time director Lolis Eric Elie, who just wants to repair his Sixth Ward New Orleans home after Hurricane Katrina. He soon discovers more about his neighborhood and the deep history of the area throughout American history.
Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video or with library card at Kanopy.com
Related: 120 Inspiring Quotes for Black History Month: ‘Freedom Is Never Given’
Good Hair
Comedian Chris Rock was inspired to make this film when his daughter asked why she didn’t have “good hair.” In this generally well-received documentary (except for some Black women, who side-eye Rock for making it), Rock explores Black hair and the “hair weave” business, going to India to find out where the hair comes from and how it’s sold to American buyers. Throughout, people like Kerry Washington and Maya Angelou talk about their own experiences with their hair. The film doesn’t give one definitive answer for why Black women get relaxers and wear weaves (it also ignores the fact that some white women get perms and wear extensions)--but it does shed light on a topic that many non-Black people don’t know anything about. And because Rock, the directors and the writers of this film aren’t women, it’s a good reminder that representation is always important.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime Video, Redbox, Peacock
Related: Try Not To Laugh Along With the 41 Best Black Comedy Movies of All Time
America to Me
It’s easy to think that race problems are just over and done with. RubyBridges desegrated schools in 1960, right? America to Me covers one year at the Chicago area Oak Park and River Forest High School. As the year unfolds, racial disparities become more apparent. “Everything’s made for white kids because this school was made for white kids because this country was made for white kids,” says one exasperated student. This documentary series shows that race is still an issue for the teenagers of today, despite progress.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime Video
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson, an activist and drag queen, is the subject of this documentary, directed by David France. Widely regarded to have been the first person to throw a brick at the Stonewall Riots–even though she says she didn’t appear until later–Johnson was one of the principle figures in the “vanguard” holding off police. The police ruled Johnson’s death a suicide, but friends were so adamant that she’d never do that that in 2018, the case was re-opened. This documentary celebrates Johnson while also trying to figure out who could be responsible for her untimely demise.
Where to watch it: Netflix
Dark Girls
Colorism is often talked about in the Black community and it’s a topic that white people haven’t thought about very much. This documentary explores how brown women navigate a society that ignores or demeans them. Dark Girls even spawned a sequel; Dark Girls 2 can be seen on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Where to watch it: Amazon Prime Video, Sundance Now
King in the Wilderness
Everyone’s learned so much about Martin Luther King Jr. It’s easy to think that you know everything there is to know. However, in this Emmy-nominated documentary, which covers the last two years of the civil rights icon’s life, you learn that he was also interested in protesting the Vietnam War, the Memphis sanitation strike and the Poor People’s Campaign. Friends and colleagues are on hand to discuss King’s state of mind near the end of his life, and it may not be what you think.
Where to watch it: Hulu
Next, From the Horrifyingly Haunting to the Hilarious, Here's 21 Black Horror Movies to Watch—If You Dare
FAQs
What should I watch for black history? ›
- The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross. ...
- Freedom Riders. ...
- Slavery by Another Name. ...
- Eyes on the Prize. ...
- The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975. ...
- Soundtrack for a Revolution. ...
- More Than a Month. ...
- Bonus: Through a Lens Darkly.
- Slavery.
- Abolition and Emancipation.
- Reconstruction.
- Segregation and Black Migration.
- Civil Rights.
- 2022 Theme: Black Health and Wellness. ...
- 2021 Theme: The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity. ...
- 2020 Theme: African Americans and the Vote. ...
- 2019 Theme: Black Migrations. ...
- 2018 Theme: African Americans in Times of War. ...
- 2017 Theme: The Crisis in Black Education.
'I Have a Dream,' 1963. On August 28, 1963, some 250,000 people—both Black and white—participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, the largest demonstration in the history of the nation's capital and the most significant display of the civil rights movement's growing strength.
How can I learn more about black history? ›...
Historical Documents & Museums:
- Primary Documents Archives – BlackPast.org.
- Learn Center – National Civil Rights Museum.
- The Collection – National Museum of African American History & Culture.
- 12 Black History Museums you can Explore from Home – Momma Wanderlust.
- Amend: The Fight for America.
- #Rucker50.
- Colin in Black & White.
- ReMastered: Devil at the Crossroads.
- Who We Are: A Chronicle of Racism in America.
- The Black Godfather.
- 13TH.
- Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: A Legacy Brought to Screen.
The 2022 Black History Month's theme is Black Health and Wellness. This focus will celebrate the contributions and breakthroughs of Black professionals as well as speaking to the cultural richness of those “non-traditional” health and wellness practitioners (e.g., doulas, midwives, etc.).
How long did slavery last in years? ›The legal institution of human chattel slavery, comprising the enslavement primarily of Africans and African Americans, was prevalent in the United States of America from its founding in 1776 until 1865, predominantly in the South. Slavery was established throughout European colonization in the Americas.
Why is black history important? ›Black History Month is that time for African Americans to acknowledge key figures from our past and present. It's an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate the achievements that African Americans have accomplished in this country, despite the history of racism and oppression.
What should we do to celebrate Black History Month? ›- Support Black-Owned Businesses: ...
- Learn About Noteworthy Black Figures and Their Contributions: ...
- Donate to Charities That Support Anti-Racism Equity and Equality: ...
- Purchase, Read, and Share Books by Black Authors: ...
- Support and Learn About Black Women:
What is the main idea of Black History Month? ›
February is Black History Month. This month-long observance in the US and Canada is a chance to celebrate Black achievement and provide a fresh reminder to take stock of where systemic racism persists and give visibility to the people and organizations creating change.
Where does African American culture come from? ›African-American culture is a blend between the native African cultures of West Africa and Central Africa and the European culture that has influenced and modified its development in the American South.
When did the term African American start? ›An ad in The Pennsylvania Journal on May 15, 1782, used the term "African American" (near the bottom). “Afro-American” has been documented as early as 1831, with “black American” (1818) and “Africo-American” (1788) going back even further.
How do you introduce Black History Month? ›- Incorporate black history year-round, not just in February. ...
- Continue Learning. ...
- Reinforce that “black” history is American history. ...
- Connect issues in the past to current issues to make history relevant to students' lives.
It means celebrating and honoring the legacy these leaders have laid for future generations to follow. It means supporting the advancement of the Black community amidst the racial injustices that continue to happen throughout the U.S. today.
How do I teach my child Black history? ›Select books that affirm a valued place for all children. Try to find books that will help prepare children for the complex world in which they live. Make sure your selections include contemporary stories. Celebrate Black culture and experiences, in addition to history, through picture books, chapter books, and poetry.
What's good on Netflix for black people? ›- Sister, Sister.
- Free Rein.
- Friday.
- Raising Dion.
- Family Reunion.
- Marlon.
- Greenleaf.
- That Girl Lay Lay.
- Vatican Girl: The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi.
- Greatest Events of WWII in Colour.
- WWII in Color: Road to Victory.
- Roman Empire.
- Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan.
- Hitler - A Career.
- Aftershock: Everest and the Nepal Earthquake.
- The Real Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist.
The inclusion of the Black Stories category on Netflix showcases a variety of TV series, documentaries, originals, and movies that highlight Black talent.
Why is Black History Month important to black people? ›Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.
What do the colors for Black History Month mean? ›
The logo is executed in red, black, and green, three of four colors that represent Black History Month. Red represents blood without which freedom cannot be achieved. Black represents the color of the race, and green is symbolic of vegetation.
What should I write for Black History Month? ›- Describe how in the past some people used racial segregation to exclude others and how doing so caused conflict.
- Racism looks like…
- Imagine being an African-American adult 80 years ago. ...
- Describe a world with no conflict or hopelessness. ...
- Write a biography about Harriet Tubman.
The oldest known slave society was the Mesopotamian and Sumerian civilisations located in the Iran/Iraq region between 6000-2000BCE.
What is the last country to abolish slavery? ›In 1981, by presidential decree, Mauritania became the last country in the world to abolish slavery. 9. "Freedom Fighter: A slaving society and an abolitionist's crusade". The New Yorker. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
Who first started slavery in Africa? ›Slavery in northern Africa dates back to ancient Egypt. The New Kingdom (1558–1080 BC) brought in large numbers of slaves as prisoners of war up the Nile valley and used them for domestic and supervised labour. Ptolemaic Egypt (305 BC–30 BC) used both land and sea routes to bring slaves in.
Who is first Black billionaire? ›After taking BET private again in 1998, Johnson and his partners sold BET Holdings to the giant media group Viacom in 2001 for some $3 billion, though he remained at BET as its chief executive officer until 2005. The sale made him the first African American billionaire.
Who is the first Black millionaire? ›Madam C. J. Walker (1867-1919) was “the first Black woman millionaire in America” and made her fortune thanks to her homemade line of hair care products for Black women.
What are the benefits of Black History Month? ›Black History Month is the opportunity to engage with and embrace the contributions set forth by the African Diaspora. It's also an opportunity to understand the struggles Black people around the world face, but also celebrate our resilience.
How do you acknowledge Black History Month on social media? ›- Support Black-owned businesses and encourage others to do the same.
- Share a Black History Month post to social media.
- Go beyond the quote post.
- Celebrate Black history year round.
- The story of Black History Month. ...
- Visit a Black or African American history museum. ...
- Learn about Black music history by listening online. ...
- Support Black-owned businesses and restaurants. ...
- Donate to Black organizations and charities. ...
- Attend local Black History Month events.
What are the best black charities? ›
- NAACP.
- NAACP Legal & Defense Fund.
- Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
- 100 Black Men of America.
- ACLU Foundation.
- The National Black Child Development Institute.
- The National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE)
- Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
- Visit an African American History Museum. Some cities have dedicated museums to African American history. ...
- Watch Black Movies. ...
- Donate to an HBCU. ...
- Listen to Black Podcasts. ...
- Support Black Businesses. ...
- Conclusion.
The benefits of exploring a more complete and accurate understanding of our local past—particularly Black history—while gaining insights applicable to our national past are obvious. Students are empowered to contribute more fully to their local community, and the community comes to understand itself better.
Why we celebrate Black History Month in February? ›February was chosen primarily because the second week of the month coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Lincoln was influential in the emancipation of slaves, and Douglass, a former slave, was a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement, which fought to end slavery.
What are 5 facts about Black History Month? ›- It Started as a Week. In 1915, Harvard-educated historian Carter G. ...
- Carter Woodson: The Father of Black History. ...
- February Was Chosen for a Reason. ...
- A Week Becomes a Month. ...
- Honoring African-American Men and Women.
- It is impossible for most people to lick their own elbow. ...
- A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
- A shrimp's heart is in its head.
- It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
The traditions of the African American culture that are practices among my family are maintaining family relationships, practicing Christianity, maintain hospitality, gaining education, and cooking. In the African American culture, families maintain a strong bond though many function like family reunions.
What are black cultural values? ›Previous research on African-Americans born in the U.S. affirms their espousal of collectivistic values emphasizing family closeness, community bonding and solidarity but they also espouse some individualistic values, particularly pertinent to the “horizontal” values of autonomy.
What language do African American speak? ›The language of African Americans has been given many labels over the past fifty years, including Black English, Ebonics, African American English (AAE), African American Vernacular English (AAVE), and, most recently, African American Language (AAL).
What percentage of the US population is black? ›What percentage of the US is African American in 2022? ›
According to the 2018 United States Census estimates, the United States population is approximately 14.6% Black or African American, which equals 47.8 million people. The Black-only population is 13.4%.
Is African an ethnicity? ›The term African [origin] in the context of scientific writing on race and ethnicity usually refers to a person with African ancestral origins who self identifies or is identified by others as African, but usually excludes those residents of Africa of other ancestry, for example, Europeans and South Asians and ...
When did African Americans get the right to vote? ›The original U.S. Constitution did not define voting rights for citizens, and until 1870, only white men were allowed to vote. Two constitutional amendments changed that. The Fifteenth Amendment (ratified in 1870) extended voting rights to men of all races.
Who are some important Black people in history? ›- February is Black History Month in the United States. ...
- Rosa Parks. ...
- Muhammad Ali. ...
- Frederick Douglass. ...
- W.E.B Du Bois. ...
- Jackie Robinson. ...
- Harriet Tubman. ...
- Sojourner Truth.
Martin Luther King, Jr. No single African American in history is perhaps as famous as Martin Luther King, Jr. A federal holiday on the third Monday each January celebrates his legacy.
Who is important Black history? ›Martin Luther King, Jr., who fought for equal rights for Blacks during the 1950s and '60s; Thurgood Marshall, the first African-American justice appointed to the United States Supreme Court in 1967; Mae Jemison, who became the first female African-American astronaut to travel to space in 1992; and Barack Obama, who was ...
What are 3 famous African American? ›- Benjamin Banneker. Born on November 9, 1731 near Elliott City Maryland, Benjamin was one of America's greatest intellectuals and scientists. ...
- Dr. Percy Lavon Julian. ...
- Jesse Owens. ...
- Fannie Lou Hamer. ...
- Sojourner Truth. ...
- Ruby Bridges Hall. ...
- Thurgood Marshall. ...
- Booker T.
When it comes to pioneers in African American history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Muhammad Ali are often mentioned—and rightfully so.
What state has the most African Americans? ›| % Black or African- American alone | Rank | State or territory |
|---|---|---|
| 76.0% | 1 | Virgin Islands (U.S.) |
| 44.1% | 2 | District of Columbia |
| 37.9% | 3 | Mississippi |
| 33.1% | 4 | Louisiana |
...
| Folorunso Alakija | |
|---|---|
| Title | Managing director, Rose of Sharon Group Vice chairman, Famfa Oil |
| Spouse | Modupe Alakija ( m. 1976) |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | DJ Xclusive (nephew) |
Who is the most successful African American? ›
- Oprah Winfrey, $2.7 billion.
- Strive Masiyiwa, $2.4 billion.
- Patrice Motsepe, $2.3 billion.
- Kanye West, $1.8 billion.
- Michael Jordan, $1.6 billion.
- Tope Awotona, $1.4 billion.
- Jay-Z, $1.4 billion.
- Tyler Perry, $1 billion.
The total shows Nelson Mandela as your No. 1 Greatest African of all time, followed closely by Kwame Nkrumah, and Robert Mugabe in third place.
Who was first Black billionaire? ›After taking BET private again in 1998, Johnson and his partners sold BET Holdings to the giant media group Viacom in 2001 for some $3 billion, though he remained at BET as its chief executive officer until 2005. The sale made him the first African American billionaire.
Who was the first Black history person? ›...
| Carter G. Woodson | |
|---|---|
| Died | April 3, 1950 (aged 74) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
Despite the ignorance and insensitivity of their oppressors, they instilled in their children the values of honesty, integrity and treating their fellow humans with compassion, an attitude that prevails in many modern African American families.
What's a fun fact for the day? ›- It is impossible for most people to lick their own elbow. ...
- A crocodile cannot stick its tongue out.
- A shrimp's heart is in its head.
- It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
July 2022) African-American culture refers to the contributions of African Americans to the culture of the United States, either as part of or distinct from mainstream American culture. The culture is both distinct and enormously influential on American and global worldwide culture as a whole.