Black Explorers

May 8, 2020

|In Black History in Two Minutes (or so), Season 1

Be Woke Presents Black History in Two Minutes (or so)

While history celebrates the explorations of many white voyagers, there are multiple black people who successfully explored sea, land, and space, and in many instances, are often overlooked.

Spanish conquistadors brought an enslaved African by the name of Esteban on a failed trip to the US mainland. Matthew Henson, linked with a renowned Admiral, was able to go all the way to the North Pole. Guion Bluford, Ronald McNair, and Mae Jemison, were accomplished scientists and engineers who were enlisted in the astronaut corps.

These black pioneers have been fortunate enough to enter spaces many thought that black people were not able occupy. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr.— with additional commentary from Evelynn Hammonds of Harvard University, let’s look at some of our unsung explorers have left their mark all over the world as we know it.

Black History in Two Minutes (or so) is a 4x Webby Award winning series.

If you haven’t already, please review us on Apple Podcasts! It’s a helpful way to for new listeners to discover what we are doing here: Podcast.Apple.com/Black-History-in-Two-Minutes/

• Archival Materials Courtesy of:
• Associated Press
• Alamy Images
• Getty Images
• Library of Congress
• Queens Borough Public Library
• United States Patent and Trademark Office

Additional Footage Courtesy of:
• Inkwell Films, Kunhardt & WNET

Executive Producers:
• Robert F. Smith
• Henry Louis Gates Jr.
• Dyllan McGee
• Deon Taylor

Produced by:
• William Ventura
• Romilla Karnick

Music By:
• Oovra Music

Follow Black History in Two Minutes on Facebook

Follow Black History in Two Minutes on Instagram

Subscribe to Black History in Two Minutes Youtube Channel

‘Black History in Two Minutes’ is also available on Apple and Google podcasts.