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Home • Black History Month

40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month

Watch stories of Black activists, artists, and athletes unfold on TV and streaming services throughout February.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Lebrecht Music & Arts / Alamy Stock Photo
By Keyaira Boone · Updated February 2, 2022

Black history lives at diplomatic conferences, in comedy clubs, on street corners, and behind tennis courts, but filmmakers and researchers are taking us beyond the usual stops to learn about its power this Black History Month.

Creative and biological descendants of the life’s blood of Black history are using their voices to introduce us to the motives and fears of those deciated to making change using exclusive clips and interviews. They are following subjects as they accomplish their greatest achievements and work through some of their toughest times. See the humanity in your favorite R&B voices, learn the origin story of controversial comedians, join athletes as they chase greatness, and listen to an opera singer prove her talent to be undeniable.

40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month

Documentaries are ushering audiences into opera halls, country clubs, church pews, the front row of fashion shows, inside real estate deals and international embassies, and between the pages of mole skin notebooks to see accomplishments taking place in multiple industries, regions, and genres. They are also exploring the challenges faced by Black storytellers, actors contemporary artists, and politicians.

See 40 specials we are watching and learning from this Black History month below.

01
Walk Against Fear: James Meredith
This special follows the life of one of our country’s most committed voting rights activists.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Smithsonian Channel
Stream Here
02
The Obama Years: The Power of Words
This special features a string of six powerful speeches from our former commander-in-chief.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Smithsonian Channel
Stream Here
03
Seizing Justice: The Greensboro 4
Learn about four men who risked their lives and liberties to take a stand by taking a seat.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Smithsonian Channel
Stream Here
04
The Black Church: This is Our Story, This is Our Song
This four part special explores the roots of the Black church and how it grew to be the foundation of Black society.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
PBS
Stream Here
05
Fannie Lou Hamer’s America: An America Reframed Special
“Speeches,” “songs,” and interview segments tell the story of Fannie Lou Hammer.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
PBS
Stream Here
06
Ali The Man
Jesse Washington narrates this Ken Burns project featuring interviews with Rasheda Ali Walsh, Howard Bryant and more.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
The Undefeated/ PBS
Stream Here
07
In Their Own Words “Chuck Berry”
Learn about the Rock ‘N Roll legend.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
PBS
Stream Here
08
Owned: A Tale of Two Americas
The impact of home ownership on a family’s finances can potentially differ based on what they look like. This special explores the promise of the “American Dream.”
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
PBS
Stream Here
09
AMERICAN MASTERS “Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands”
See how an angelic voice shattered glass ceilings.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
PBS
Stream Here
10
The American Diplomat
Edward Dudley, Terence Todman and Carl Rowan were three ambassadors who served a country that refused to honor their full citizenship. See how they put their patriotism above all else.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
GBH
Stream Here
11
AMERICAN MASTERS “Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool”
Take a look at the life of the legendary musician.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
PBS
Stream Here
12
Driving While Black: Race, Space and Mobility in America
This special highlights the ins and outs of driving while Black.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
© 2022 WCNY
Stream Here
13
4 Little Girls
This documentary shows how small four children being cut down by hatred resulted in national outrage.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO Max
Stream Here
14
Women of Troy
See how Cheryl Miller helped cause a major shift in women’s basketball during her time at the helm of the USC Trojans.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO
Stream Here
15
Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley
Whoopi Goldberg helped honor the historic comedian through this documentary.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO Max
Stream Here
16
Being Serena
This multi-part special follows Serena Williams as she conquers her next great challenge – motherhood.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO
Stream Here
17
Black Art- In The Absence of Light
The history and current state of Black art in America is explored.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO
Stream Here
18
Paul Robeson- Tribute to an Artist
This documentary offers a tribute to Robeson’s work and activism.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO Max
Stream Here
19
The Apollo
Visit one of Black America’s most important landmarks.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO Max
Stream Here
20
The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks
Oprah Winfrey starred and produced in this adaptation of the story of a family fighting to correct an unimaginable injustice.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO Max
Stream Here
21
We Are the Dream: The Kids of the Oakland MLK Oratorical Fest
Follow a group of children honoring King’s legacy of shifting the world through words.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO Max
Stream Here
22
We Will Rise – Michelle Obama’s Mission to Educate Girls Around the World
Follow our forever First Lady on her mission to promote the education of girls around the girl.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO Max
Stream Here
23
Between The World And Me
Watch some of the most powerful actors of our time engage with Coates’ game changing letter.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
HBO Max
24
Bitchin’: The Sound And Fury Of Rick James
Learn about the free spirit and fierce talent behind your favorite dance songs and comedy sketches.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Photo credit: Mark Weiss
Stream Here
25
The One And Only Dick Gregory
Kevin Hart and Lena Waithe produced this look at Gregory’s life on and off the stage featuring interviews with Chris Rock, Wanda Sykes, and Dave Chapelle.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Showtime
Stream Here
26
Teddy Pendergrass: If You Don’t Know Me
Soak up the history behind the number one slot on your mom’s cleaning playlist.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Showtime
Stream Here
27
You’re Watching Video Music Box
Nas celebrates a pivotal tool in placing hip-hop at the top of our nature’s cultural landscape.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Showtime
Stream Here
28
Of Mics And Men
Waiting for season two of American Saga? Take a trip to Shaolin with the Wu.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Showtime
Stream Here
29
Barbara Lee- Speaking Truth to Power
See what lead Lee to dedicate herself to public service and hear about her impact from her fellow politicians, actors, and authors.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Starz
Stream Here
30
The Gospel According To Andre
See a legend use his encylopedic knowledge of fashion to foist himself to the top of the industry’s couture clad inner-circle.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Magnolia Pictures
Stream Here
31
Homecoming: A Film By Beyoncé
After trading traditional schooling for the stage Beyoncé spent a lifetime longing to attend an HBCU leading her to create this incredible visual love letter.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Netflix
Stream Here
32
Out Of Omaha
J. Cole produced this coming-of-age story about a pair of twins fighting to flourish despite the systemic injustice of the cornhusker state.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
ALLBLK
Stream Here
33
Screen Queens Rising
This ABC News special features Halle Berry, Tessa Thompson and more sharing their experiences about being Black women in Hollywood.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Photo Credit: ABC/Matt Petit
Stream Here
34
‘Soul of a Nation Presents: X / o n e r a t e d – The Murder of Malcolm X and 55 Years to Justice’
Muhammad Abdul Aziz, the man falsely accused of murdering of Malcolm X speaks out about his experiences.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Photo Credit: (ABC/Michael Le Brecht)
Stream Here
35
Use of Force- The Policing of Black America
Chuck D narrates this special on policing.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Photo Credit: Peacock
Stream Here
36
Black Moderates and Black Militants
Three members of the Black Panther Party argue the rationale for an African-American high school.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Photo Credit: HBO Max
Stream Here
37
Tina
The icon looks back at her life and career.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Photograph by Courtesy of HBO
Stream Here
38
Beah – A Black Woman Speaks
Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis and more luminaries celebrate the accomplishments of actress and activist Beah Richards.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Photo Credit: HBO Max
Stream Here
39
The Loving Story
Learn about the relationship that inspired the romance tradition of “Loving Day.”
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Photo Credit: HBO
Stream Here
40
Olympic Pride, American Prejudice
Learn about all of the Black athletes who represented a nation that considered them second-class citizens at the 1936 Olympics.
40 Docs And Specials To Learn From This Black History Month
Photo Credit: COFFEE BLUFF PICTURES / KweliTV
Stream Here
TOPICS:  black history black history figures documentaries