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.


The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Perform the Spirituals and Save Their University

The Fisk Jubilee Singers: Perform the Spirituals and Save Their University

Fisk University was founded in Nashville, Tenn. in 1866. As an institution for African-American students, their first years of inception…

The Beginning of Black History: Juan Garrido | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

The Beginning of Black History: Juan Garrido

In the early 1500s, a West African man named Juan Garrido joined the ranks of Spanish explorers who ventured out in hopes of discovering…

Fort Mose: The First All-Black Settlement in the U.S. | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

Fort Mose: The First All-Black Settlement in the U.S.

In this episode of Black History In Two Minutes or So hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr., with additional commentary from Hasan Jeffries of…

Jackie Robinson Integrates Baseball | Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

Jackie Robinson Integrates Baseball

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson tore down the color barrier and became the first black baseball player to play in the Major League…

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…

Free Black Americans

Free Black Americans Before the Civil War

Even though slavery ended in the 1860s, free Black Americans made up 10% of the United States Black population. While the rest of the…