Black Film
This 1985 film directed by Stephen Spielberg, although not a true story, was based on real-life struggles of the author, Alice Walker. Listen to a line from the movie.
What is the Color Purple?
This American Pianist was known as the greatest jazz composer and bandleader of his time. Known for such songs as:
Who was Duke Ellington?
She was the first female American self-made millionaire. Creating hair products in her attic that later grew into multiple factories on two continents. She was not only an entrepreneur but a philanthropist, and political and social activist. Listen to this quote:
Who was Madame CJ Walker?
An American track and field athlete who won four gold medals in the 1936 Olympic Games. He specialized in sprints and long jumps and has been recognized as the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history. Known as the buck-eyed bullet. Listen to this quote:
Who was Jesse Owens?
An American Muslim and human rights leader who was a prominent, yet controversial figure during the Civil Rights Movement. He was a spokesman for the nation of Islam and an advocate for Black Empowerment. Known for his statement:
Who was Malcom X?
In this 1984 film, a black Army investigator travels to look into a mysterious murder of a black sergeant at the tail end of WW11. Listen to a line from the movie
What is the Soldier Story?
She was an American jazz and swing music singer, nicknamed “Lady Day.” Known for the controversial song, “Strange Fruit” whose lyrics shared vivid details of southern black oppression. She was the first African American female to sing with an all-white orchestra. Famous for songs such as:
Who was Billie Holiday?
An American inventor, businessman, and community leader. His most notable invention was a smoke hood as the predecessor to the gas mask. If you could go back in time, he may say to you:
Who was Garrett Morgan?
An American professional basketball player who played as center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association from 1956-1969 winning 11 NBA Championships. Listen to this quote:
Who was Bill Russell?
An American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer, and statesman. After disguising himself and escaping from slavery in Maryland, he became a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York. Known for his expression:
Who was Frederick Douglass?
A 1989 biographical drama film written by Michael Schiffer, starring Morgan Freeman was based on the true story of an inner-city high school principal in Paterson, New Jersey. Listen to a line from the movie.
What is Lean on Me?
This American singer, songwriter, pianist, and alto saxophonist. He is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential singers in history, and was often referred to by contemporaries as "The Genius" He pioneered soul music in the 1950’s. Known for songs such as:
Who was Ray Charles?
This American surgeon and medical researcher studied in the field of blood transfusions and became the pioneer in the preservation of life-saving blood plasma. He organized America’s first large-scale blood bank. Listen to this quote:
Who was Charles Drew?
American former tennis player, considered amongst the greatest tennis players of all time. She was ranked world No.1 in singles by the Women’s Tennis Association for 319 consecutive weeks. Listen to this quote:
Who is Serena Williams?
A Pioneer Civil Rights Leader who served as the NAACP’s first field secretary in Mississippi. He tirelessly led marches, prayer vigils, voter registrations, and boycotts. He was brutally shot and killed outside his home by a white supremacist. Known for stating:
This film telling of a black family’s experiences in South Chicago was debuted on Broadway in 1959. The title comes from a poem written by Langston Hughes. Listen to a line from the movie.
What is A Raisin in the Sun?
This famous American singer, songwriter, musician, and soul legend had multiple hits over an 18-year span. Known for such songs as:
Who was Bill Withers?
An American nurse and innovator felt unsafe walking home through her New York neighborhood after a late-night shift. She is known for inventing the video home surveillance security system with her husband Albert Brown. Listen to this quote:
Who was Marie Van Britton Brown?
A former football player and safety coach who served as a Head Coach in the National Football League for 13 seasons. He made history as the first African American NFL coach to win a Super Bowl. Listen to this quote:
Who is Tony Dungy?
The daughter of slaves, she became one of the most important black educators, civil and women’s rights leaders. She devoted her life to ensure the right to education and freedom from discrimination for African Americans becoming one of the most prolific leaders of the modern-day Civil Rights Movement. Known for stating:
Who was Mary McLeod Bethune?
This 1975 American action crime comedy film had an all-black cast, starring Sidney Poitier, Bill Cosby and Jimmie Walker. Listen to a line from the movie:
What is, Let's Do it Again?
This Swiss singer, dancer and actress is widely referred to as the Queen of Rock-n-Roll. She rose to fame in the late 60’s and became one of the powerhouses of soul throughout the last half of the twentieth century. Known for songs such as:
Who was Tina Turner?
An African American inventor and patent draftsman who invented the evaporative air conditioning unit. He worked with Thomas Edison and created the filaments for light bulbs as well as an improved the toilet system for railroad cars. Listen to this quote:
Who was Lewis Howard Latimer?
An American Professional Boxer nicknamed the Brown Bomber. Reigned as the world’s heavyweight champion from 1937 until his retirement in 1949. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential boxers of all time. Listen to this quote:
Who was Joe Louis?
A key figure of the Harlem Renaissance, he was a man of many talents. Not only was he a distinguished lawyer and diplomat who served as an executive secretary at NAACP for a decade. He was also a composer who wrote the lyrics for "Lift Every Voice and Sing," known as the Black national anthem with such lines as:
Who was James Weldon Johnson?