Arts and Crafts
- African American
African American Art: Past and Present
1992 Reading & O'Reilly
Available from Crizmac
ISBN# 0-924041-97-8
This series of three videos presents a comprehensive survey of African
American art. Artistic contributions from Africa including basketry, pottery
and iron work, are presented along with a historical survey of contemporary
artists such as Joshua Johnson, Jacob Lawrence, and Faith Ringgold. The
material is divided into 10 to 15 minute segments and a teacher's guide
is included for each program.
Biography
B.B. King
(Great Performances)
1994 Allan Albert Productions
Available from Public Broadcasting Service
This documentary from the PBS "Great Performances" series presents
the life and music of the blues musician B.B. King.
Colin Powell: Military Leader
(Black Americans of Achievement Video Collection)
1992 Schlessinger Video Productions
Available from Social Studies School Service
ISBN# 1-879151-17-0
This biography based on the Chelsea House book covers the life of Colin
Powell from his birth to his appointment as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff. The video contains lively interviews, archival footage, and photographs.
Ebony/Jet Guide to Black Excellence: The Entertainers
1992 Johnson Publishing Company
Available from Social Studies School Service
ISBN# 0-945800-09-6
Highlights three successful celebrities in entertainment and the arts
who, through unrelenting determination, catapulted their talent into national
renown: Bill Cosby, who journeyed from the streets of Philadelphia to become
one of America's most powerful entertainers and TV's No. 1 dad; Maya Angelou,
who triumphed over a troubled youth that included rape and teen pregnancy
to become an award-winning author and professor; and Charles Dutton, who
overcame a prison sentence to become a Broadway, film, and television star.
Student workbook suggests activities to accompany viewing.
Ebony/Jet Guide to Black Excellence: The Leaders
1992 Johnson Publishing Company
Available from Social Studies School Service
ISBN# 0-945800-07-X
Highlights three African-American trailblazers who assumed positions
of leadership that opened doors for others: L. Douglas Wilder, governor
of Virginia; Marian Wright Edelman, a human rights activist; and Dr. James
P. Comer, a pioneer in education and child development.
Ebony/Jet Guide to Black Excellence: The Entrepreneurs
1991 Johnson Publishing Company
Available from Social Studies School Service
ISBN# 0-945800-05-3
Highlights three African-American achievers who built their own successful
businesses: John H. Johnson, owner and CEO of Johnson Publishing Co.; Joshua
Smith, Chairman and CEO of Maxima Corporation; and Oprah Winfrey, owner
of her own production studio and one of America's most recognized and beloved
television personalities.
Frederick Douglass
Zenger Video
Available from Social Studies School Service
Inspired by John F. Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "Profiles
in Courage," this film follows the life of Frederick Douglass, the
famous abolitionist, who was known for his gift of persuasive oratory.
Frederick Douglass: When the Lion Wrote History
1994 WETA, Washington, DC, and ROJA Productions
Available from Knowledge Unlimited
Douglass' life spans an era of great historical events, the abolitionist
movement, the early days of the women's movement, the Civil War, the Reconstruction
and the end of the 19th century. Live-action reenactments and archival photographs
blend with quotes from Douglass' writings and commentary by noted historians.
Freedom Man
Bob Walsh and Leroy Morais
1989 Network Home Entertainment
Available from Social Studies School Service
Ossie Davis stars in this docudrama about Benjamin Banneker, the early
African-African scientist and patriot who worked with the Underground Railroad
and fought prejudice through his writings.
George Washington Carver
(Black Americans of Achievement Video Collection)
1992 Library Video Company
Available from Art Rowles Assoc.
ISBN# 1-879151-12-X
This biography based on the Chelsea House book covers the life of George
Washington Carver, a botanist who developed new uses for several plants.
Contains lively interviews with leading authorities on Carver's life, as
well as archival footage, photographs and period music.
Half Slave, Half Free: Solomon Northrup's Odyssey
Gordon Parks
1984 Past American, Inc.
Available from Social Studies School Service
True life story of Solomon Northrup, a free black man who lost a dozen
years of his life to Jim Birch & his gang of slave-trading kidnappers.
High Five: Celebrating African-American Teens
John Caps
1992 Human Relations Media
Available from Art Rowles Assoc.
This program presents five accomplished African-American teens whose
success shows their determination, confidence and pride in their heritage.
Teacher's guide suggests discussion and research activities.
King
Abby Mann
1978 Orion
Available from Art Rowles Assoc.
At an explosive moment in American history, King seized the issue of
social injustice and led his people in a non-violent revolution. Paul Winfield
as King and Cicely Tyson as Coretta Scott. Two volume set.
Sojourner Truth
(Black Americans of Achievement Video Collection)
1992 Schlessinger Video Productions
Available from Social Studies School Service
ISBN# 1-879151-19-7
The famous leader of the abolitionist movement is immortalized through
her electrifying speeches for black freedom and women's rights. Based on
the Chelsea House biography, this video includes historical background,
quotations, period music and interviews with authorities on black history.
Woman Called Moses: Harriet Tubman, A
Paul Wendkos
1992 Xenon Video, Inc.
Available from Social Studies School Service
The story of Harriet Tubman, founder of the Underground Railroad, who
led hundred of slaves to freedom in the North before the Civil War. Starring
Cicely Tyson and narrated by Orson Welles.
Civil Rights
Movement
Eyes on the Prize: America's Civil Rights Movement 1993 PBS
Available from PBS
ISBN# 0-7936-1146-6
This comprehensive collection of the highly acclaimed PBS series "Eyes
of the Prize" includes six one-hour videos in Part 1 and eight one-hour
videos in Part 2. The series begins with the lynching of 14-year-old -Emmett
Till in 1954 and concludes with an examination of two American cities in
the early 1980s, Miami and Chicago, as they continue the struggle for civil
rights. A video reference system consisting of an on-screen clock that correlates
with a printed, cross-referenced alphabetical and subject index allows students
and teachers to quickly locate the exact reference they need in this immense
video collection.
History of the Civil Rights Movement, A
1994 Schlessinger Video Productions
Available from Art Rowles Assoc.
This program captures the most dramatic moments in the civil rights movement
as well as the efforts of ordinary men and women who risked their lives
for social justice.
King
Abby Mann
1978 Orion
Available from Art Rowles Assoc.
At an explooment in American history, King seized the issue of social
injustice and led his people in a non-violent revolution. Paul Winfield
as King and Cicely Tyson as Coretta Scott. Two volume set.
Civil War
Massachusetts 54th Colored Infantry, The
Jacqueline Shearer
1991 PBS
Available from PBS
ISBN# 0-7936-0627-6
Historical narratives and archival photos and drawings document the story
of the first officially sanctioned regiment of African American Union soldiers
to fight in the Civil War.
Depression
- 1930s
Sounder
William Armstrong
1982 Paramount
Available from Art Rowles Assoc.
This video version of "Sounder" starring Cicely Tyson and Paul
Winfield was nominated for four Academy Awards. The story of a black sharecropper
family in Louisiana during the depression has become an American classic.
A man's life is changed forever when he is caught stealing to feed his family.
His dog, Sounder, is wounded in the incident and waits faithfully for his
master to come home.
Fiction -
African American
Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich, A
Ralph Nelson
1977 Radnitz/Mattel
Available from Art Rowles Assoc.
ISBN# 0-7921-1968-1
Paul Winfield and Cicely Tyson in a family drama about a ghetto mother,
stepfather and a bright 13-year-old boy struggling with the pressures of
drugs and crime.
Sounder
William Armstrong
1982 Paramount
Available from Art Rowles Assoc.
This video version of "Sounder" starring Cicely Tyson and Paul
Winfield was nominated for four Academy Awards. The story of a black sharecropper
family in Louisiana during the depression has become an American classic.
A man's life is changed forever when he is caught stealing to feed his family.
His dog, Sounder, is wounded in the incident and waits faithfully for his
master to come home.
Folktales
- African American
People Could Fly, The
Virginia Hamilton
1985 Aset Corporation
Available from Aset Corporation, 12603 Layhill Rd., Suite 101, Silver Springs,
MD 20906 (301) 933-1833
This video of an African folktale about the magical power of flying and
its use in escaping from slavery is presented as a dramatic piece with music
and dance.
Frontier
Life
Untold West: The Black West
1993 Turner Home Entertainment
Available from Art Rowles Assoc.
ISBN# 0-7806-0499-7
The story of the black cowboys told through live-action reenactments,
archival photography and interviews with descendants of western pioneers.
Narrated by Danny Glover.
Military
Colin Powell: Military Leader
(Black Americans of Achievement Video Collection)
1992 Schlessinger Video Productions
Available from Social Studies School Service
ISBN# 1-879151-17-0
This biography based on the Chelsea House book covers the life of Colin
Powell from his birth to his appointment as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs
of Staff. The video contains lively interviews, archival footage, and photographs.
Music
B.B. King
(Great Performances)
1994 Allan Albert Productions
Available from Public Broadcasting Service
This documentary from the PBS "Great Performances" series presents
the life and music of the blues musician B.B. King.
Repercussions: A Celebration of African-American Music
1984 Channel Four Television
Available from Home Vision, 5547 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60640 (800)
262-1720
This seven-part video series surveys the history of African American
music from its roots in traditional West African music through gospels and
spirituals to rhythm and blues and jazz. The final video circles back to
look at the popular music of contemporary Africa including Highlife of Ghana,
Afro-beat, and juju of Nigeria.
Story of Gospel Music, The
(Great Performances)
1996 PBS
Available from PBS
This video traces the key composers and performers who have transformed
the power of gospel music from its early roots in church congregations to
its emergence into the international mainstream.
Slavery
Frederick Douglass
Zenger Video
Available from Social Studies School Service
Inspired by John F. Kennedy's Pulitzer Prize-winning book, "Profiles
in Courage," this film follows the life of Frederick Douglass, the
famous abolitionist, who was known for his gift of persuasive oratory.
Frederick Douglass: When the Lion Wrote History
1994 WETA, Washington, DC, and ROJA Productions
Available from Knowledge Unlimited
Douglass' life spans an era of great historical events, the abolitionist
movement, the early days of the women's movement, the Civil War, the Reconstruction
and the end of the 19th century. Live-action reenactments and archival photographs
blend with quotes from Douglass' writings and commentary by noted historians.
Freedom Man
Bob Walsh and Leroy Morais
1989 Network Home Entertainment
Available from Social Studies School Service
Ossie Davis stars in this docudrama about Benjamin Banneker, the early
African-African scientist and patriot who worked with the Underground Railroad
and fought prejudice through his writings.
Half Slave, Half Free: Solomon Northrup's Odyssey
Gordon Parks
1984 Past American, Inc.
Available from Social Studies School Service
True life story of Solomon Northrup, a free black man who lost a dozen
years of his life to Jim Birch & his gang of slave-trading kidnappers.
History of Slavery in America, A
1994 Schlessinger Video Productions
Available from Social Studies School Service
This program explores the institution of slavery in North America from
the 1600s to the early days of Reconstruction.
People Could Fly, The
Virginia Hamilton
1985 Aset Corporation
Available from Aset Corporation, 12603 Layhill Rd., Suite 101, Silver Springs,
MD 20906 (301) 933-1833
This video of an African folktale about the magical power of flying and
its use in escaping from slavery is presented as a dramatic piece with music
and dance.
Race to Freedom: The Story of the Underground Railroad
Don McBrearty
1993 Xenon Home Video
Available from Knowledge Unlimited
A docudrama about the courageous men and women who dared escape enslavement
on Southern farms and plantations by following the "underground railroad"
to Canada.
Roots of Resistance: A Story of the Underground Railroad
(American Experience)
1989 PBS
Available from PBS
The underground railroad is explored through the use of filming of documented
escape routes, as well as by archival materials, music and interviews with
descendants of slaves and activists.
Sojourner Truth
(Black Americans of Achievement Video Collection)
1992 Schlessinger Video Productions
Available from Social Studies School Service
ISBN# 1-879151-19-7
The famous leader of the abolitionist movement is immortalized through
her electrifying speeches for black freedom and women's rights. Based on
the Chelsea House biography, this video includes historical background,
quotations, period music and interviews with authorities on black history.
Woman Called Moses: Harriet Tubman, A
Paul Wendkos
1992 Xenon Video, Inc.
Available from Social Studies School Service
The story of Harriet Tubman, founder of the Underground Railroad, who
led hundred of slaves to freedom in the North before the Civil War. Starring
Cicely Tyson and narrated by Orson Welles.
Sports
Only the Ball Was White
1992 MPI Home Video
Available from Social Studies School Service
ISBN# 1-56278-556-7
Paul Winfield narrates this documentary of the Negro Baseball Leagues
which pays tribute to the exceptional African American baseball players
who were denied entrance to the big leagues because of their skin color.
Interviews and archival film document the history of the Negro Leagues. | 
