black History in Two Minutes (or so)

Black History in Two Minutes (or so) is the new way to immerse yourself in Black History. The digital video series features dozens of short, engaging and factually accurate videos about important historical events or people who have shaped American history. Like never before, people of all ages, backgrounds and educational levels can learn more about the African American experience.

Launched in 2019 by visionary Executive Producer Robert F. Smith, who is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, the media platform has covered topics from the beginning of American history to the present day. To ensure historical accuracy, the episodes are well researched and narrated by renowned historian and Executive Producer, Henry Louis Gates Jr. Teaching guides for educators also accompany some of the episodes, affording teachers the ability to incorporate the information from the videos, and the videos themselves, into their lessons.

As an award-winning series, Black History in Two Minutes has received numerous accolades, including two Webby Awards in 2020, 2 more in 2021 and yet again, 1 more in 2022.

Check out some of the episodes for yourself below.


The Harlem Hellfighters of WWI

The Harlem Hellfighters of World War I

After years of requesting an all-black unit in the National Guard, the governor of New York finally put the order into place. In January…

Black Greek Letter Organizations

Black Greek-Letter Organizations

While more Black students sought formal education in a university setting they formed their own Black Greek-Letter Organization aimed at…

Integrating Wall Street

Integrating Wall Street

In 1972, Vernon Jordan became the first Black person to sit on a corporate board in the United States. As a result of his presence, he…

The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Perform the Spirituals and Save Their University

The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Perform the Spirituals and Save Their University

Fisk University was founded in Nashville, Tenn. in 1866. As an institution for African-American students, their first years of inception…

Marcus Garvey | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

Marcus Garvey: Leader of a Revolutionary Global Movement

Marcus Garvey was born in Jamaica and experienced the impacts of colonization at the hands of the British. As a result, he developed a…

Black Exploration

Black Explorers

While history celebrates the explorations of many white voyagers, there are multiple black people who successfully explored sea, land, and…