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African American pioneer Clara Brown's true-life story is told through the lens of an American opera, "Gabriel's Daughter." Clara became a successful entrepreneur and helped populate the African American Colorado community while searching for her only remaining daughter who was sold away from her at auction. Through opera-highlighted performances we discover Clara's struggles and triumphs.
When the slave ships crossed the Atlantic, they carried more than bodies--they transported entire civilizations, rich with philosophies, religions, languages, rhythms and ancestral memory. BIGGER THAN AFRICA traces the living legacy of Yoruba culture--from the vibrant Candomble temples of Salvador, Brazil and the Orisha festivals of Trinidad, to Harlem's drum circles and the enduring traditions in West Africa. The documentary reveals how Yoruba traditions not only survived the Middle Passage but also took root, flourished and evolved across the globe. More than a historical account, the film is a cultural odyssey uncovering the spiritual and cultural threads that bind the African diaspora across continents.
After the American Civil War, over four million formerly enslaved people were set free, but most had no place to go. Wanting some autonomy over their own lives, many formed Freedom Colonies in an endeavor to live as far away from the racism of Jim Crow as possible. In 1988, documentary photographer Richard Orton began a decades-long project that followed the descendants of four of these communities. RAISE YOUR HEAD UP: FREEDOM COLONIES IN AMERICA is an hour-long documentary that explores their accomplishments, along with the challenges they face to keep these legacies alive.
In 1965, Jimmie transferred his senior year from an all-Black high school to an affluent white high school in Charlotte--he was their first Black football star. That decision swept him into one of North Carolina's most volatile civil rights cases, played out at the explosive intersection of football and race. De, a white student, watched that case unfold and wrote about it in his college essay application. He said it got him into Harvard. Decades later, a shocking discovery found in church records reconnects them, changing their lives forever. What unfolds is a deeply personal yet profoundly American story--one that reveals the legacy of slavery, the complexities of race and privilege, and, ultimately, the power of truth in their journey toward healing.
33 BLACK FROG: AN AMERICAN STORY is a powerful documentary about Chief Petty Officer Eddie L. Ferguson, one of the first African American Navy Frogmen. Battling racism and adversity, Ferguson's journey is one of courage, perseverance and a legacy that paved the way for generations.
Discover the extraordinary life of poet, philosopher and music visionary Sun Ra. With his ever-evolving collective, the Sun Ra Arkestra, he self-produced more than 200 albums, stretching the boundaries of jazz.
ECHOES OF PRAISE: GOSPEL MUSIC IN NYC'S CAPITAL REGION is a half-hour documentary that highlights the tradition and legacy of gospel music. Through interviews and performances, the program celebrates gospel's spiritual and artistic expression as a source for community and inspiration. The program takes viewers inside some of the hallowed congregations in New York's capital region, offering insight into a musical form that moves people from Sunday morning to Saturday night. From notable artists and religious leaders to people whose lives have been shaped by song, ECHOES OF PRAISE presents a moving tribute to an African American art form that has enriched and defined the region's culture.
The Inquisitor traces Barbara Jordan's rise from Texas congresswoman to national icon, highlighting her powerful voice, integrity and influence on U.S. politics--while revealing the private struggles behind her public strength.
