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.


Poor People's Campaign

Poor People’s Campaign

In 1967, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. expanded the Civil Rights Movement by creating a sweeping economic and healthcare care…

The Clotilda

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

Double V Campaign | Black History in Two Minutes

The Double V Campaign of World War II

The Double V Campaign was launched by a prominent black newspaper, the Pittsburgh Courier, in 1942. The campaign came in response to buzz…

School Racial Integration | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

School Integration

The landmark case Brown v. Board of Education declared that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. However, for most…

Congressional Black Caucus

Congressional Black Caucus

In this episode of Black History In Two Minutes or So hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. we celebrate a group of Black congressional leaders…

Black Feminism | Black History in Two Minutes

Black Feminism

Black women and their commitment to freedom and equality has often been minimized in history books. However, with black women standing at…