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One way to show support to the Black community during black history month is to further your learning and visibility of their unique history and culture. Featured below are a variety of media to consume in order to learn about the trials black people have overcome in the past and the current hardships they still may face in today’s society. By immersing ourselves in their world for a short amount of time whether it be by reading a book, watching a movie, or listening to a podcast, you come away with a sense of understanding and appreciation for their culture and experiences.
Just Mercy (2019)
Just Mercy is based on the true story of Bryan Stevenson. Bryan is a high-profile defense lawyer who takes on the case of a wrongly accused, death row inmate, Walter McMillian. The movie is based on the memoir written by Bryan Stevenson, himself.
Hidden Figures (2016)
Descendent (2022)
This 2022 documentary features the story of The Clotilda, the last known slavery ship to arrive in the United States in 1860. It chronicles the descendants of the ships passenger’s fight to reveal and honor their family’s legacy.
13th (2016)
Director Ava DuVernay dives into racial inequality in the United States by taking and in-depth look at the prison system and what led to the mass incarceration of African Americans.
When They See Us (2019)
In this limited series based on a true story, five Harlem teens are falsely accused of attacking a white woman in Central Park after being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The accusation permanently alters the rest of their lives.
Self Made (2020)
Academy Award winning actress, Octavia Spencer, portrays Madam C.J. Walker, an African American washerwoman as she fights her way out of poverty and becomes the first female self-made millionaire by building a beauty empire.
The Three Mothers
You know the names Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr. and James Baldwin, but this story is about the women who raised these influential men. Debut author Anna Malaika Tubbs celebrates black motherhood by honoring their indirect contributions to American History.
The Hate U Give
This fictional novel follows Starr, a sixteen-year-old that witnesses the shooting of her best friend by white police officers. She struggles with how to cope with the events which have become a media sensation. The novel was also adapted into a movie by the same name in 2018.
Code Switch
This long running, popular podcast by NPR features weekly stories and topics about race and identity and the impacts they have on every aspect of our society. It offers an educated and in-depth conversation of current events and ideologies.
Black Girl Songbook
This podcast celebrates the lives and careers of Black female musical artists. With guests such as Jenifer Hudson and Brandy, host Danyel Smith dives into their stories and finds out what made them and their music so legendary.