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.


Ida B. Wells: Fearless Investigative Reporter of Southern Horrors

Ida B. Wells: Fearless Investigative Reporter of Southern Horrors

Born into slavery as Ida B. Wells in 1862, she was a pioneer of modern investigative journalism during the Reconstruction Era. Wells called…

The Woman's Club Movement

The Women’s Club Movement

Black women have been no stranger to organizing since America’s earliest inception. But it would be during the Reconstruction era that…

Protesting the Birth of a Nation | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

Protesting the Birth of a Nation

In 1915, D.W. Griffith, released a film that would go down as one of the most disturbing representations of black Americans ever, The Birth…

Separate But Equal: Homer Plessy and the Case That Upheld the Color Line

Separate But Equal: Homer Plessy and the Case That Upheld the Color Line

In June of 1882, a 30-year-old shoemaker by the name of Homer Plessy of New Orleans led a revolution that aimed to overturn Jim Crow…

Black Woman Laborers

Black Women Laborers

After the Civil War, Black women recognized the opportunity to become wage workers and contributors to society. However, decent wages and…

The Tuskegee Study | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

The Tuskegee Study

In 1932 the United States Public Health Service commissioned a study on the effects of untreated syphilis. 600 poor black men from Alabama…