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.


Black Liberation and Womanist Theology

Black Liberation and Womanist Theology

James Cone, a highly regarded professor, preached about Black liberation at the center of the gospel. His elevated teaching not only…

Abolition in the North: Elizabeth Freeman Sues for Freedom

Abolition in the North | Elizabeth Freeman Sues for Freedom

Many people recognize the passage of the 13th Amendment as an end to slavery in the south. However, slavery was commonplace in all 13…

Maya Angelou: 20th Century Renaissance Woman

Maya Angelou: 20th Century Renaissance Woman

Maya Angelou, who was born Marguerite Annie Johnson; April 4, 1928 – May 28, 2014) was an American poet, singer, memoirist, and civil…

Civil War and Emancipation | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

Civil War and Emancipation

In 1861, the south’s threats of seceding the union led to the start of the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln’s primary goal was to…

Reconstruction: The Vote | Black History in Two Minutes

Reconstruction: The Vote

After the Civil War, the Reconstruction era brought about hope and change in the form of citizenship and equality in America. Black men…

Black Feminist Organizations

Black Feminist Organizations

While the Civil Rights Movement continued to spread across the US and the feminist movement evolved, one group felt neither movement really…