Father Divine

May 13, 2022

|In Black History in Two Minutes (or so), Season 2

As the nation dealt with the darkness of the Great Depression, a Black leader by the name of Father Major Jealous Divine rose from the shadows. His message resonated with many as he identified himself as God in the human flesh.

Preaching the power of the mind and positive thinking, the Peace Mission Movement was created. Followers would give their life to Father Divine, relinquishing all worldly possessions as the entered communal living. While his movement wouldn’t last long, Father Divine goes down in history as an influential leader who was able to provide — albeit through controversial moves, — shelter, food, and other necessities to Black people during the Great Depression.

In this episode of Black History In Two Minutes or So hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. — with additional commentary from Judith Weisenfeld of Princeton University, Imani Perry of Princeton University, and Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University — we look at a pivotal leader who said all the right things but whose provocative actions led to his demise.

Black History in Two Minutes (or so) is a 9x nominated and 5x Webby Award winning series.

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Archival Materials Courtesy of:
• ASSOCIATED PRESS
• Everett Collection, Inc.
• Getty Images

Additional Archival by:
• The Boston Globe

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

Senior Producer:
• William Ventura

Series Producers:
• Chinisha Scott
• William Ventura

Executive in Charge of Production:
• Robert L. Yacyshyn

Post Production Supervisor:
• Veronica Leib

Post Production Coordinator:
• Katherine Swiatek

Written By:
• Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Additional Writing:
• Kevin Burke
• Kelsi Lindus
• Chinisha Scott
• William Ventura

Editors:
• Margaret Metzger
• Anne Yao

Producer:
• Kevin Burke