Nobody could have said they saw the past two years coming. The events were unprecedented- a pandemic that showed up and disrupted our lives as we knew it, political turmoil, civil unrest, and more. All through those events, racial injustice never left the center stage. We all have had to navigate uncomfortable conversations, but that’s not even enough in these times. We must rise, dig deep, and show leadership in our communities.
Here is a list of Black History videos appropriate for students in different grade levels.
Good Examples of Black History Videos (for Elementary School)
The Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
I have a dream….” Most students know these Martin Luther King’s words by heart, but how much do they know about the civil rights icon who said them?
The Life of Rosa Parks
You will learn about Rosa Parks, often called the Mother of the Freedom Movement, and what made her so brave and remarkable. Who was Rosa Parks? What were the deeds that made her a civil rights icon?
I am Jackie Robinson by Brad Meltzer | ( READ ALOUD)
Major League Baseball had a long history of being deeply discriminatory against black people until Jack Roosevelt Robinson broke through the lines. He, therefore, became the first African-American in the modern era to play Major League Baseball.
The Story of Frederick Douglass
You cannot tell the story of the abolitionist movement in the United States without mentioning the emancipation and freedom of Frederick Douglass. This educational video tells the full story.
The Breathtaking Courage of Harriet Tubman
In this video, the spotlight is beamed on the life and times of escaped enslaved person turned civil rights icon Harriet Tubman. She remarkably freed over 700 enslaved people using the famed Underground Railroad.
Muhammad Ali Biography
https://youtu.be/avVqLeX9GZQ?list=PLjnL2NSDUI6balkzEUaQevYjImzgXe4Dx
Muhammad Ali is a boxing legend and an important figure in Black history. This video tells his story.
Malcolm X (Civil Rights Leader)
This video follows the life of Malcolm X, a civil rights hero, as he went from fighting racial injustices by any means necessary to adopting a non-violent strategy.
Teach Me About Garvey |Read Aloud
Marcus Garvey was a Jamaican political activist and founder of the Universal Negro Movement Association. He was also the founder of the African Communities League and declared himself the Provisional President of Africa. This video, Teach Me About Garvey, tells the story.
Brown v. Board of Education
After Linda Brown, an African-American student from Kansas, was not allowed into the white-only schools close to her home, Brown v. Board of Education was argued in front of Supreme Court judges in 1954.
A Picture Book of Jesse Owens (Read Aloud)
Jesse Owens was unarguably the greatest and most famous athlete in track and field history before Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt, Bob Beamon, or Carl Lewis came to the scene. A Picture Book of Jesse Owens recounts his inspiring story. There was Jesse Owens before there was Tyson Gay, Usain Bolt, Carl Lewis, or Bob Beamon. He was probably the biggest and most famous athlete in track and field history. His inspiring story is shared in this video titled A Picture Book Of Jesse Owens.
Black History Month Tribute to Mary Mcleod Bethune
https://youtu.be/BHNRPSpUnsg?list=PLjnL2NSDUI6balkzEUaQevYjImzgXe4Dx
We roll back the times as we celebrate an education icon, Mary Mcleod Bethune.
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History- Read Aloud
This chapter of the Little Legends documentaryT follows the life of James Mercer Langston Hughes. He was one of the earliest writers and performers of jazz poetry and is best remembered as one of the forerunners of the Harlem Renaissance.
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History- Read Aloud
This section of Little Leaders of Bold Women in Black History tells the story of Ruby Bridges. She was credited as the first African-American child to desegregate William Frantz Elementary School, an all-white school in Louisiana. It happened during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis on November 14, 1960.
Sojourner Truth—Abolitionist & Women Rights Pioneer
We follow the story of Sojourner Truth, a women’s rights activist, and American abolitionist figure. The truth was born into slavery but would later escape with her daughter. In 1982, she became the first Africa-American woman to go to court in an attempt to reclaim her son.
How Nelson Mandela Fought for Equality and Freedom
Nelson Mandela is globally renowned for his leading role in the fight against racial segregation in Apartheid South Africa. His doggedness and unique efforts helped bring peace, reconciliation, and transformation to his country.
Little People, BIG DREAMS: Maya Angelou| Read Aloud
From the international bestseller Little People, BIG DREAMS series, this read-aloud chronicles the life of the incredible Maya Angelou. Maya Angelou was not just a civil rights icon but also a powerful speaker, writer, activist, and poet.
Black History Month Profile: Serena Williams
Serena Williams has been awarded 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the highest by any player in the Open Era and the second on the all-time list. No other tennis player in the Open Era has won as many grand slam singles titles (23) as Serena Williams. On the all-time list, she is only behind one person.
What Black Lives Matter Means to Kids
The Kind Crew teams up with motivational speaker Nyeeam Hudson as they deliver an insightful episode on how black communities can harness the power of art and frank conversations to combat racism.
Black History Videos for Middle and High School
Dred Scott v. Sanford
This video shares the story of two historical rulings on civil rights. Dred Scott, an enslaved African-American, had sued his master in an attempt to win his freedom. The Judge, Robert Taney, subsequently ruled that African-Americans were not American citizens and thus had no right to take anyone before a court. The second ruling stated that Congress was not constitutionally empowered to ban slavery in the United States.
Emmett Till – American Freedom Stories
This is one of the most touching Black History videos your students will ever watch. The day was August 1955, when a white cashier lied that Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African-American, had flirted with her. Four days later, Emmett was killed after two white men tortured and severely mutilated his body. This act enraged the Civil Rights Movement and galvanized more Black people towards the cause.
Harriet Tubman: Biography
Harriet Tubman was notable for her bravery in freeing hundreds of enslaved people from their plantations using the Underground Railroad.
The Electrifying Speeches of Sojourner Truth
Learn about Sojourner Truth, a formerly enslaved person who became an orator and activist.
Marcus Garvey: Biography
Marcus Garvey was an orator for the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements, and although at times controversial, he is considered a national hero in Jamaica and inspired the Rastafari movement. Though considered controversial in some quarters, Marcus Garvey was a Jamaican orator that helped establish Black Nationalism movements. He is considered a national hero in his home country.
Brown v. Board of Education in PBSThe Supreme Court
This video is a must-watch for your students. It follows the story of the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling against racial segregation in Southern schools.
Oprah Winfrey — American Media Proprietor Talk Show Host
A story of how Oprah Winfrey rose from a poor childhood to become one of the most powerful figures in the world.
Moments In History: Remembering Thurgood Marshall
Thurgood Marshall was one of America’s foremost jurists and civil rights figures. He was also an incredible storyteller.
Civil Rights and the 1950s
This video travels down memory lane to America in the 1950s, the early days of the Civil Rights Movement.
The Harlem Renaissance: Crash Course Theater
The 1920s saw an unprecedented blossoming of African-American arts in Harlem. Black theatres drew large audiences like never before, and legendary authors like Zora Neale and Langston Hughes wrote plays.
Quincy Jones Biography: Life and Career of the Producer and Composer
This brief documentary eulogizes the life and career of Quincy Jones. He was a top American Jazz musician, writer, arranger, producer, and entrepreneur.
Equal Protection: The 14th Amendment
This video will help discuss the Fourteenth Amendment regarding equal protection and how it affects civil rights.
Nelson Mandela: Civil Rights Activist &President Of South Africa
https://youtu.be/UqoYmx_L-Xs?list=PLxD3F12-gbIS1_XEr4mPxewK0uXQ-qLBY
This video tells the story of Nelson Mandela, a non-violent South African anti-apartheid movement leader, politician, and author. He later became the country’s first black president.
Maya Angelou — Civil Rights Activist Author
Maya Angelou, best remembered for her memoir published in 1969, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, was an American activist, actress, author, dancer, screenwriter, and poet.
Serena Williams And Misogynoir: The Meaning Of Sexism And Racism Towards Black Women
Crystal M. Fleming, author and SUNy Stony Brook professor, discusses misogynoir and why Serena Williams’ call against sexism at the 2018 U.S. Open Final was an important moment for black women.
Black Lives Matter Movement
This is one of students’ most important and relevant Black History videos. In it, Global Citizens bare their minds on the Black Lives Matter Movement.
