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 Clotilda

In 2019, researchers were able to properly authenticate the last known slave ship to enter the United States illegally. That ship, The…

Freedman’s Bank | Black History in Two Minutes

Freedman’s Bank

In 1865, after the north won the Civil War, the government opened the Freedman’s Bank. This institution was geared towards nearly four…

Black Exploration

Black Explorers

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

The Red Summer | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

The Red Summer

The events unfolding across the United States today in the wake of the brutal murder of George Floyd, are an eerie repetition of events…

The Great Migrations | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

Migrations: From Exodusters to Great Migrations

With the formal ending of slavery in place, many freed black people saw this as an opportunity to start anew. But, for those in the south,…

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…