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.


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 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…

Transatlantoic Slave Trade | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

The Transatlantic Slave Trade

In the early 1500s, the transatlantic slave trade commenced. Europeans invaded west and central Africa, capturing free people, enslaving…

First African American Patent Holders

First African-American Patent Holders

Black inventors have made significant contributions in the name of not only advancing the American brand, but by way of breaking down a…

Robert Smalls: A Slave Who Sailed Himself to Freedom | Black History in Two Minutes

Robert Smalls: A Slave Who Sailed Himself to Freedom….

Robert Smalls was born into slavery and pushed into fighting for the Confederacy during the Civil War. However, at the age of 23, he took a…

The Birth of Hip Hop | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

The Birth of Hip Hop

In 1973, DJ Kool Herc set up his turntables and introduced a technique at a South Bronx house party that would change music as many people…