This is going to be an exciting week!! We jumped into a new month and many of our faves are returning to screens this week!! Even dropped a few late spring/early summer features!! Check out the latest trailers below:
Season 3-Abbott Elementary (Streaming on ABC February 7th)
Nothing like hearing or watching a great story! While I may have finished my formal educational training, I am always open to learning and becoming more informed about the history and experiences of Black Americans. So continuing in the vein of Black History Month celebrations just wanted to share a few television specials and documentaries to check out! This set of television specials and documentaries range from civil rights icons, to origins of gospel music, to exploring the racial wealth gap, to Black war heroes, to being Black in space!
Shuttlesworth (PBS): This feature-length documentary explores the life and legacy of perhaps the most fearless leader of the Civil Rights Movement—Birmingham’s Rev. Fred Shuttlesworth. When the KKK planted a bomb underneath his bed and he emerged unharmed, he was sure he was saved by God to lead a Movement. His work lead directly to the Civil and Voting Rights Acts—and inspired freedom movements around the world. You can check out the full documentary here!
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The Harlem Hellfighters (HISTORY Channel): The Harlem Hellfighters documents the hard fighting regiment of Black soldiers, who battled shocking racism at home and abroad while fighting the Germans in World War I. The Hellfighters, who saw more time on the frontlines than any other American regiment, were initially heralded upon their return only to quickly be discarded by the Army and country they served so valiantly. This one-hour documentary tells the important story of this courageous group, who included bandleader James Reese Europe and Purple Heart winner Henry Johnson. Their extreme bravery earned them the French regimental Croix de Guerre a century before the U.S. finally recognized their contributions to the war effort with a Congressional Gold Medal.
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Our America: In the Black (Hulu): This docu-series follows Microsoft Philanthropic specialist, Darrell Booker, who is on a mission to close the racial wealth gap through his digital inclusion movement in the hopes of economically transforming communities and small businesses that are impacted by economic inequalities. Watch the full episode here!
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The Space Race (NatGeo, Hulu, Disney+): THE SPACE RACE weaves together the stories of Black astronauts seeking to break the bonds of social injustice to reach for the stars, including Guion Bluford, Ed Dwight and Charles Bolden, among many others. In this documentary it profiles the pioneering Black pilots, scientists and engineers who joined NASA to serve their country in space, even as their country failed to achieve equality for them back on Earth. The bright dreams of Afrofuturism become reality in THE SPACE RACE, turning science fiction into science fact and forever redefining what “the right stuff” looks like, giving us new heroes to celebrate and a fresh history to explore. THE SPACE RACE debuts on February 12th.
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Gospel (PBS): From the blues to hip hop, African Americans have been the driving force of sonic innovation for over a century. Musical styles come and go, but there’s one sound that has been a constant source of strength, courage and wisdom from the pulpit to the choir lofts on any given Sunday. GOSPEL, the latest history series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr., digs deep into the origin story of Black spirituality.
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Sacred Soil: The Piney Woods School Story (Hulu): Here is a documentary that explores the intersection of childhood and adulthood through the eyes of young, Black high school youth from around the world as they work beyond society’s imposed limitations to achieve a top-notch education at America’s oldest African-American boarding school. Sacred Soil is set to debut February 23 on Hulu.
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As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial (Paramount+): Directed by filmmaker J.M. Harper, As We Speak features Bronx rap artist Kemba who explores the growing weaponization of rap lyrics in the United States criminal justice system and abroad – revealing how law enforcement has quietly used artistic creation as evidence in criminal cases for decades. Journeying through meccas of hip-hop, building the case for rap lyrics & Black artist protection via intimate conversations with rappers, academics, politicians, legal experts, and industry execs.
With this being Black History Month, I want to make sure I showcase the great work of African American past and present!! This is an opportunity to share some goodies while also becoming informed. Check out today’s shout outs:
Black Men Smile : A movement that “amplifies the revolutionary power of Black joy. We are committed to create a sanctuary where Black people authentically celebrate themselves.
SPGBK: Springbreak (SPGBK) Watches is a “designer watch company, based out of North Carolina, that provides an amazing variety of impactful, unique, & colorful watches. At SPBK we value, invest, & promote these key areas: Education & Teachers, Historical Black Colleges & Universities, Authenticity, and Supporting North Carolina & Black Owned Businesses.”
As part of the celebration, The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) establishes yearly themes that “reflect changes in how people of African descent in the United States have viewed themselves, the influence of social movements on racial ideologies, and the aspirations of the black community.” This year’s theme is “African Americans and the Arts.”
African American art is infused with African, Caribbean, and the Black American lived experiences. In the fields of visual and performing arts, literature, fashion, folklore, language, film, music, architecture, culinary and other forms of cultural expression, the African American influence has been paramount. African American artists have used art to preserve history and community memory as well as for empowerment. Artistic and cultural movements such as the New Negro, Black Arts, Black Renaissance, hip-hop, and Afrofuturism, have been led by people of African descent and set the standard for popular trends around the world. In 2024, we examine the varied history and life of African American arts and artisans.
This year’s theme really hits home for me as a scholar whose work encompasses the arts from a comic book and pop culture standpoint. I look forward to not only showcasing my work but others in the arts as well!
To jumpstart the day, see the following Black History facts:
In 1773, Phillis Wheatley became the first Black American poet to publish a book of verse.
In 1878, Marie Selika Williams was the first Black musician to sing at the White House.
In 1948, Gordon Parks was hired as the first Black staff photographer at Life magazine.
As you join in on this year’s celebration, check out these resources and tools that will provide additional insight into this cultural celebration:
Black Future Feminist 