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.


African American Higher Education

African American Higher Education

Opportunities for freed black children to further their educational journey after high school were limited. As a direct response to minimal…

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…

Birth of Modern Gospel Music

Chicago Sound: The Birth of Modern Gospel

As Black families left the South, their migration allowed them to bring their religion and musical practices along with them. But it would…

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…

Land: Giving Rise to the Famous Phrase 40 Acres & a Mule | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

Land: Giving Rise to the Famous Phrase 40 Acres & a Mule

The phrase “40 acres and a mule” — a promise to former slaves — would be hatched from this meeting. Unfortunately, President Andrew Johnson…

Father Divine

Father Divine

As the nation dealt with the darkness of the Great Depression, a Black leader by the name of Father Major Jealous Divine (Father Divine)…