She is one of the most important storytellers in our history but anti-Blackness tried to make her a sellout. But she was too quick for that. She finessed the hell outta white money. Talk about reparations! _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com...

His is one of the most iconic voices in history. But as a child he experienced a traumatic incident that made him stop speaking. It took a miracle to take him from silent to superstar. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people...

Benin City was well ahead of its time. With palm oil fueled street lights, a sprawling palace, and a great wall four times that of China’s. So why doesn’t this wonder exist today? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10...

How we enter this world matters. But white supremacy has infiltrated even the most sacred aspects of Black culture, including our birthing practices. On today’s episode, we’re uncovering the often-erased historical roots of Black childbirth and the deadly implications of its medicalization. Our guest, Linda Jones, is here to break it all down. Linda, a postpartum birthing doula, birth photographer, and co-founder of Black Women Birthing Justice, has spent three decades serving women of color...

The baby slid out of its mothers’ womb. The midwife caught it and immediately a shiver went through her. A translucent veil covered the baby’s face. The energy in the room shifted. A powerful spiritual leader had just been born. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at...

At one time, Black folks stuck to drinking Pepsi and would almost always choose it over Coca-Cola. Why? Hint: it’s not because of the taste. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month, but every dollar makes a...

She took the stage with swagger. Her top hat and tuxedo perfectly complimented her full figure. The music started, she leaned forward on her walking cane, then spewed out the filthiest lyrics ever heard, right into their shocked faces! _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your...

Is it really in a Black person’s soul to rock gold? Ancestrally, we’ve been iced out for decades, and the history of grillz teaches us about the glitziest parts of the culture. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a month,...

In this special episode of Black History Year, we bid a heartfelt farewell to our beloved host Jay and welcome our new host, Darren with open arms! A filmmaker, master storyteller, and PushBlack's own narrative strategist, Darren is set to bring a fresh and dynamic perspective to the show, as we kick off a season dedicated to reclaiming our culture! -- Black History Year (BHY) is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the...

Accessing this delicious soul food staple truly requires you to get to the bottom of things, specifically a well-flavored pot of mustard, collard, or turnip greens. And though this delicacy has humble roots, it holds a powerful lesson on our Blackness. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with...

One thing about Black folks – we love us a good Cadillac. Whether it’s your old-school uncle or your favorite play cousin, you can bet at least one member of your family adores this car. Here’s the history of our Cadillac love affair. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your...

We all have a cousin who isn’t actually our cousin. “Play cousins” are one of the beautifully expansive and beneficial ways our people have defined family for ourselves for generations. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate...

In 1901, Lillian Harris left Mississippi for Harlem, penniless and unable to read or write. But she had a dream and a plan to cook her way to financial success selling Southern delicacies. And she did not only that, but so much more. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions...

The “on air” light lit up the dark studio – he was on! Like all DJs, he wooed his audience. But there was something very different about this DJ. And because of this difference, he’d go down in history. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most...

William Wells Brown peeked from around the tree. He'd never seen anything like the ritual before his eyes—a fiery cauldron, folks talking in tongues, and dancing beneath the midnight moonlight. These spiritual ceremonies remind us of the importance of trusting ancestral wisdom. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You...

The wind howled as it wove through the narrow streets. Winter was in full force. The Parker family huddled close together near the fireplace for warmth. But as sleep beckoned, the warmth of the flames seemed miles away. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at...

Harriet Tubman stumbled across a swamp that was dark, wet, and smelled like boiled eggs. She was starving. The next safe house wasn’t for miles. Her stomach growled and churned. As a last resort, she picked up an acorn and bit into it. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your...

Opening the door, a quiet shiver of excitement passed between them. Making sure the coast was clear, they made their way to the woods. Silently, they traveled through the dark. Revolution was near. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most...

Dust kicked up behind their bare feet, leaving their former plantations in its wake. Some held baskets, others children and babies. But hundreds of miles of walking would be worth getting to see their loved ones again. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at...

In the hushed valleys and hidden hollows of the mysterious Appalachian mountains, a secret that has been concealed for centuries lies half-buried in the ground. Unbeknownst to many, Black communities have quietly thrived within these rugged ranges since enslavement. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make...

Synchronized movements. Powerful chants. Pure athleticism. For generations, our people have been stepping everywhere from high school step shows to HBCU probates, and with each beat we honor a history that binds us from Africa all the way to America. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with...

Nothing like a bowl of collard greens seasoned to perfection warms the soul. Considering our ancestral history with the leafy green, it's no wonder it's a favorite on our forks. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a...

We’ve probably all said some of these five everyday phrases without knowing just how problematic they truly are. Will you still use these after you learn the history behind them? _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com — most people donate $10 a...

Some of the words and phrases that we use everyday have sinister origins. These terms are linguistic remnants of a deeply racist past. They may seem harmless on the surface, but their continued usage subconsciously reinforces harmful attitudes and discriminatory beliefs. Here are a few examples. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't...

In the darkness of the night they bathed their naked bodies before drenching the land with their bath water. This was a very specific form of spiritual warfare – one only a chosen few women could perform. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Black history you didn't learn in school. You make PushBlack happen with your contributions at BlackHistoryYear.com —...