The previous a number of years have actually been unprecedented ones—a pandemic, civil unrest, political turmoil, and extra. By means of all of it, racial injustice has taken heart stage. At occasions, we’ve all navigated uncomfortable conversations, however it’s extra vital than ever to dig deep and be the leaders our communities deserve. Right here’s a listing of Black historical past movies to enlighten college students in each grade stage.
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Plus, obtain our free printable video response worksheets to pair with the Black historical past movies. Simply click on the button under to obtain your worksheets.
FREE PRINTABLE
Video Response Worksheets
Use our free video response worksheets with any of the movies under. There are sections for earlier than, throughout, and after viewing and a spot to fee the video utilizing a five-star scale.
Black Historical past Month Movies for Elementary College
1. The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“I’ve a dream …” Your college students may know Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s phrases, however what do they know in regards to the iconic civil rights chief who stated them?
2. The Lifetime of Rosa Parks
Study Rosa Parks, typically referred to as the “Mom of the Freedom Motion,” and what made her so courageous and noteworthy.
3. “I Am Jackie Robinson” by Brad Meltzer | Learn-Aloud
Jack Roosevelt Robinson broke the baseball shade line and have become the primary Black man to play main league baseball within the fashionable period.
4. The Story of Frederick Douglass
Are you studying in regards to the abolitionist motion in the US? The emancipation and subsequent freedom of Frederick Douglass is explored on this instructional video.
5. The Breathtaking Braveness of Harriet Tubman
Take a more in-depth have a look at the lifetime of escaped slave and American icon Harriet Tubman, who liberated greater than 700 enslaved folks utilizing the Underground Railroad.
6. Muhammad Ali Biography
This video tells the story of Muhammad Ali, a legend in boxing and Black historical past.
7. Malcolm X (Civil Rights Chief)
Malcolm X was a civil rights chief whose life journey introduced him from combating for equal rights “by any means obligatory” to combating for justice peacefully.
8. “Educate Me About Garvey” Learn-Aloud
Teach Me About Garvey shares the story of Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican political activist and founder and first president-general of the Common Negro Enchancment Affiliation and African Communities League, by which he declared himself Provisional President of Africa.
9. Brown v. Board of Training
Brown v. Board of Training was a case delivered to the Supreme Court docket in 1954 after Linda Brown, an African American scholar in Kansas, was denied entry to the white-only colleges close to her house.
10. “A Image Ebook of Jesse Owens” Learn-Aloud
Earlier than Usain Bolt or Tyson Homosexual, Bob Beamon, or Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens was maybe the best and most well-known athlete in track-and-field historical past. A Picture Book of Jesse Owens tells his inspiring story.
11. Black Historical past Month Tribute to Mary McLeod Bethune
Make a journey again in time to have a good time Mary McLeod Bethune, an icon in training.
12. “Little Legends: Distinctive Males in Black Historical past” Learn-Aloud
This chapter of Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History tells the story of James Mercer Langston Hughes, one of many earliest innovators of jazz poetry. He’s finest often called a frontrunner of the Harlem Renaissance.
13. “Little Leaders: Daring Girls in Black Historical past” Learn-Aloud
This number of Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History shares the journey of Ruby Bridges, the primary African American youngster to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary College in Louisiana throughout the New Orleans college desegregation disaster on November 14, 1960.
14. Sojourner Fact—Abolitionist & Girls’s Rights Pioneer
Sojourner Fact was an American abolitionist and ladies’s rights activist. She was born into slavery however escaped along with her toddler daughter and have become the primary Black girl, in 1828, to efficiently sue a white man for a member of the family’s freedom.
15. How Nelson Mandela Fought for Equality and Freedom
Nelson Mandela is known for his battle towards apartheid in South Africa. His distinctive efforts for peace and reconciliation reworked his nation, and he finally grew to become president.
16. “Little Individuals, Huge Goals: Maya Angelou” Learn-Aloud
On this read-aloud of the worldwide bestseller from the Little People, Big Dreams sequence, uncover the unimaginable lifetime of Maya Angelou, the highly effective speaker, author, and civil rights activist.
17. Black Historical past Month Profile: Serena Williams
Serena Williams has gained 23 Grand Slam tennis singles titles, probably the most by any participant within the Open Period and the second-most of all time.
18. NASA Black Historical past Month Astronaut Profile—Jeanette Epps
NASA astronaut Dr. Jeanette Epps talks about inspiring younger women and remembers who inspired her to achieve for the celebs when she was rising up.
19. Calvin Peete Profile: Black Historical past Month
Calvin Peete was the primary profitable Black participant to not transfer up by the caddie ranks. Now a World Golf Corridor of Famer, he gained the celebrated Gamers Championship in 1985.
20. Can Children Change the World?
The battle for civil rights didn’t simply embrace adults, it included children like 7-year-old Ayanna Najuma, who braved harsh penalties to make their communities extra inclusive. To study extra about Ayanna and different children who fought for change, go to this resource from Scholastic.
21. Why Do We Rejoice Black Historical past Month? Details for Children
Watch as these children discover how Black Historical past Month was created to honor and have a good time the contributions of Black Individuals in the US.
22. Miss Jessica’s Black Historical past Month Track
This Grammy-nominated tune from Miss Jessica’s World is a celebration of Black excellence in America each previous and current. You’ll be able to obtain the karaoke version for the classroom!
23. Sesame Avenue: Rejoice Black Historical past Month Compilation
Rejoice Black Historical past Month on Sesame Avenue! Be part of Elmo, Gabrielle, and Tamir as they sing their tune “Pay attention, Act, Unite” from Sesame Avenue’s “Energy of We” particular. Then, rediscover favorites starting from Will.I.Am’s “What I Am” to Erykah Badu’s tune about friendship.
24. “I Am the Dream” Black Historical past Track for Children
Head over to Mr. Pete’s Playhouse for this new anthem for youths. “I Am the Dream” conjures up children to imagine that they are often and do something whereas celebrating the sturdy Black figures who helped pave the way in which for them to succeed!
25. “The Undefeated” | Black Historical past Month Children Learn-Aloud
Be part of Ms. Mera as she reads the highly effective guide The Undefeated, written by Kwame Alexander and illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
26. What Black Lives Matter Means to Children
Be part of the Type Crew for a strong episode with motivational speaker Nyeeam Hudson as they share how you can use the ability of artwork and trustworthy conversations to battle racism.
27. Meet Dred Scott for Black Historical past Month
This participating cartoon for youths tells the story of how Scott sued for his and his household’s freedom, finally taking their case all the way in which to the Supreme Court docket.
28. Uncover African American Heroes
This video pays tribute to the outstanding contributions of influential Black people all through historical past. From civil rights leaders to inventors and artists, discover the inspiring tales of those that have formed and progressed our society.
29. Emmett Until (Documentary) Black Historical past Month
Study Emmett Until, a younger boy whose tragic homicide grew to become a catalyst for the Civil Rights Motion. This instructional video highlights his story and the profound affect it had on exposing racial injustice to the world.
30. Black Scientists and Inventors
Rejoice Black Historical past Month with this participating animated video that showcases the inspiring lives and achievements of Dr. Daniel Hale Williams, George Washington Carver, Madam C.J. Walker, Garrett A. Morgan, and Mae Jemison. Excellent for youths!
31. The Civil Rights Motion for Children | What Is Segregation?
This kid-friendly video explains what segregation was and the way it formed life in America earlier than the Civil Rights Motion. College students will study separate colleges, buses, and public areas, in addition to the courageous individuals who labored to finish these unfair legal guidelines.
32. Youngster of the Civil Rights Motion
Instructed by the eyes of a younger lady, this story brings the Civil Rights Motion to life for youngsters. Paula Younger Shelton, the daughter of activist Andrew Younger, shares her reminiscences of rising up surrounded by leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and marching for justice in Selma.
Black Historical past Month Movies for Center and Excessive College
33. Black Lives Matter: Crash Course Black American Historical past #51
Study in regards to the Black Lives Matter motion and a few of the main occasions that contributed to the rise of BLM, together with the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and George Floyd, and the way in which that social media was used to realize help for the motion.
34. Dred Scott v. Sandford
Dred Scott sued his grasp for his freedom, and Decide Robert Taney finally issued two traditionally consequential rulings. First, African Individuals weren’t residents and had no proper to sue in court docket. Second, Congress didn’t have the constitutional authority to ban slavery from the states.
35. Jesse Jackson: Crash Course Black American Historical past #44
Reverend Jesse Jackson is a civil rights activist and icon who started his lengthy profession working with Martin Luther King Jr. within the Nineteen Sixties and continues to contribute to the motion for Black rights as we speak.
36. Emmett Until—American Freedom Tales
On August 24, 1955, a white cashier lied and claimed that 14-year-old Emmett Until flirted along with her. 4 days later, two white males tortured and murdered {the teenager}. His homicide galvanized the rising Civil Rights Motion. This is likely one of the most shifting Black historical past movies for college kids.
37. Harriet Tubman: Biography
Harriet Tubman was an extremely courageous girl who risked her personal life to free a whole lot of slaves from plantations by way of the Underground Railroad.
38. Shirley Chisholm: Crash Course Black American Historical past #43
In 1972, Shirley Chisholm ran for president of the US of America. Whereas she didn’t win, she did have an unimaginable profession in politics, holding a congressional seat within the New York delegation for many years.
39. The Electrifying Speeches of Sojourner Fact
Get to know the story of Sojourner Fact, a lady born into slavery who grew to become often called a strong orator and outspoken activist.
40. Marcus Garvey: Biography
Marcus Garvey was an orator for the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism actions, and though at occasions controversial, he’s thought of a nationwide hero in Jamaica and impressed the Rastafari motion.
41. Brown v. Board of Training in PBS’s The Supreme Court docket
This video covers the Supreme Court docket’s historic rejection of segregation in Southern colleges. This is likely one of the most related Black historical past movies for college kids on this checklist!
42. Girls and the Black Energy Motion: Crash Course Black American Historical past #40
Girls have at all times been a strong (and largely underappreciated) pressure within the motion for Black equality in the US. Study extra about how ladies contributed to a number of organizations and the Black Arts Motion.
43. NASA Black Historical past Month Worker Profile: Matthew Bailey
Matthew Bailey is the operations supervisor for the Nationwide Transonic Facility Advanced at NASA’s Langley Analysis Middle. The power is at the moment testing a mannequin of the House Launch System, the rocket that can ship people to the moon.
44. Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas: Crash Course Black American Historical past #46
Revisit the Supreme Court docket affirmation listening to of Clarence Thomas throughout which Anita Hill testified that Thomas, her former coworker, had sexually harassed her once they labored on the Division of Training. Thomas’ nomination was finally confirmed by a margin of 52-48, making him the second Black American appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court docket.
45. Oprah Winfrey—American Media Proprietor and Discuss Present Host
Watch a mini-biography of Oprah Winfrey, who ascended from an impoverished childhood to grow to be some of the highly effective and influential celebrities on the planet.
46. Rap and Hip-Hop: Crash Course Black American Historical past #47
Study extra in regards to the origins of rap and hip-hop and the cultural significance of artists together with Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan, the Infamous B.I.G., Tupac, N.W.A., Queen Latifah, and Missy Elliott.
47. Black Historical past Month Profile: Gloria Walton
Gloria Walton is the CEO and president of the Options Venture, a nationwide nonprofit that helps fund organizations seeking to create local weather options in communities of shade.
48. Moments in Historical past: Remembering Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was one of many nation’s best jurists and civil rights advocates, however he was additionally a gifted storyteller.
49. The Tuskegee Experiment: Crash Course Black American Historical past #29
This video covers a darkish and horrifying chapter in American historical past: the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment. The experiment was carried out by the U.S. Public Well being Service and the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention from 1932 to 1972.
50. Civil Rights and the Nineteen Fifties
Make a journey again to America within the Nineteen Fifties and the early days of the Civil Rights Motion.
51. The Harlem Renaissance: Crash Course Theater
Within the Twenties, there was a blossoming of all types of artwork made by Black folks in Harlem. Authors like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston had been writing performs, and Black theater firms had been drawing bigger audiences than ever earlier than.
52. The Black Panther Get together: Crash Course Black American Historical past #39
Study in regards to the Black Panthers, a comparatively small, comparatively political celebration that made it their mission to increase the rights of Black Individuals and had a significant affect on U.S. historical past.
53. Quincy Jones Biography: Life and Profession of the Producer and Composer
This quick documentary celebrates the legendary life and profession of prime American jazz musician, composer, arranger, document producer, and entrepreneur Quincy Jones.
54. Equal Safety: The 14th Modification
Spark a dialogue on the 14th Modification with a deal with the “equal safety” clause and the way it pertains to civil rights.
55. Nelson Mandela: Civil Rights Activist & President of South Africa
Nelson Mandela was a nonviolent anti-apartheid activist, politician, and philanthropist who grew to become South Africa’s first Black president.
56. Maya Angelou—Civil Rights Activist & Writer
Maya Angelou was an American writer, actress, screenwriter, dancer, poet, and civil rights activist finest recognized for her 1969 memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
57. Beyoncé Is the Highest-Grossing R&B Artist
In honor of Black Historical past Month, Billboard featured Beyoncé, highlighting a few of her most unimaginable achievements.
58. Hurricane Katrina: Crash Course Black American Historical past #49
Crash Course’s Clint Smith discusses his expertise as a teen in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Black residents had been hit the toughest, with structural racism enjoying a catastrophic position.
59. Serena Williams and Misogynoir: The Which means of Sexism and Racism In direction of Black Girls
Writer and SUNY Stony Brook professor Crystal M. Fleming explains what misogynoir means and why Serena Williams calling out sexism on the 2018 U.S. Open Closing was a essential second for Black ladies.
60. Barack Obama: Crash Course Black American Historical past #50
Barack Obama was the primary Black man elected president of the US, in 2008. Study extra about his formative years, political profession, presidential marketing campaign, and legislative milestones.
61. Black Lives Matter Motion
Watch World Residents share their ideas on the Black Lives Matter motion. This is likely one of the finest Black historical past movies for college kids proper now.
62. Origins of Black Historical past Month
Uncover the historical past behind February changing into the month devoted to honoring the accomplishments and contributions of African Individuals in the US and past.
63. Black Historical past Month Celebration: African Dance
This vibrant show celebrated African heritage and honored the contributions of Black people all through historical past.
64. The Nice Migration: Crash Course Black American Historical past #24
Between 1916 and 1970, greater than 6 million Black Individuals moved from the agricultural South to cities within the North and West. This Crash Course episode explores how the Nice Migration reworked American tradition, reshaped communities, and laid the groundwork for brand new types of activism and expression.
65. The Hidden Historical past of Black Georgetown
Lengthy earlier than Georgetown grew to become one among Washington, D.C.’s most well-known neighborhoods, it was house to a thriving Black neighborhood whose tales had been practically forgotten. This quick documentary uncovers the lives, struggles, and successes of the individuals who helped form the town’s historical past from its earliest days.
66. Bear Witness, Take Motion 2: Persevering with the Motion
This highly effective YouTube Originals particular brings collectively artists, activists, and thought leaders to mirror on racial injustice and the continued battle for equality. By means of private tales, performances, and trustworthy conversations, the movie encourages viewers to study, mirror, and take significant motion in their very own communities.
Get your free printable video response worksheets!
Use our video response worksheets with any of the movies listed above. The free printables include sections for earlier than, throughout, and after viewing and a spot to fee the video utilizing a five-star scale. Merely fill out the shape on the hyperlink under to get began!
Plus, take a look at Black History Month Activities for February and Beyond.
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