History of African-American Filmsa timeline of Struggle,

Repression, Redemption and Artistic Spirit

ByArthur Byrd

Based on a lecture given on February 28, 2015

IntroductionI have been moviegoer since I can remember going to the The Sky-Hi Drive in Lowellville, Ohio near Youngstown with my parents and little sister, Darlene and other area movie theaters.

I grew up in the era of the Black blaxploitation movies which included movies like Shaft, Superfly and The Mack. A lot of these movies I couldn’t see because I was too young. But, when I did grow up and was able to see them, they became a huge influence on me.

From seeing pimps, black action heroes taking it to the man and a father in the rural South stealing food to feed his family and going to a hard labor camp for it, these films gave me insight into a culture and world that I knew nothing about growing up in all different type ethic neighborhood on Youngstown’s East Side.

Movies have taken me to places that I would have never been able to go for just the price of a movie ticket especially Star Wars to fight intergalactic evil.

In the 80‘s, I was able to fall in love with Bo Derek in 10 through movies leading up 2000’s and Hitch with Will Smith and my lifetime crush, Eva Mendes.

The Lecture

A few years ago, I had spoke at the Warren Main Library about the History of Motion Pictures. In 2014, Cheryl Bush from the Warren-Trumbull County Public Library asked me to speak again.

This time for the 2015 Black History month. The library wanted something with the History of African-American Films. With my background as a Youngstown State University instructor teaching the History Of Motion Pictures, it was something I was very interested in.

There is a challenge of doing something like the History of African-American films. The history is pretty vast with a 100 years of history information. My question to myself was, “how do you put that into a 45 minute presentation?”

All the information in the timeline of African-American films could not be put in under 45 minutes. The struggle and triumphs of African-American films could go on for several hours.

As I did research, it was very interesting to find out that African-Americans owned a lot of what they did cinematically. They just didn’t have the distribution system to get a wide audience to sustain an on-going money flow. Yet, they had enough of a niche African-American audience to make films.

I was surprised to find that there were black theaters which catered to African-Americans.

So, as I journeyed through more research I found out how different groups and people shaped African-American cinema. Stepit Fetchit playing the laziest man on earth, earned a lot of money playing that character. Was it right or wrong because of stereotypical portrayals presented.

Hattie McDaniels, who got an Oscar for playing Mammy in Gone With The Wind, had starred in over 300 films, but was credited in just 80 of them. Her statement in response to the backlash from playing a stereotypical domestic in film after film, “Why should I be paid $100 a month as an actual maid and I can be paid $700 a week as a maid in a movie.”

Many African-American actors, actresses and filmmakers have trail-blazed the way to where African-American films are today.

In 2014, Ava DuVernay did an amazing directing and writing job on the film, Selma. The audience was able to see what Dr. King and others went through for standing up for the right to vote.

That is one of the reason why African-American films are very important, not only for a generation to look back to see how far films and generations have come, but the possibility to have the African-American cinematic spirit and storytelling continue on.

The brief history in this PDF doesn’t not cover everything, but it gives you small moments into the African-American film history.

Personally, I have been fortunate to make some shorts films of my own.If it wasn’t for some of these African-American films that I saw as a kid, a teenager and an adult, I don’t think I would have stepped forward to tell stories.

This PDF is interactive, you can click on link to see film scenes and film trailers.

I would like to thank those who came to the lecture and those reading this PDF. Ms. Bush and Brittney from the library. I appreciate your time and I hope the material presented is worth your time.

Art Byrd, 2015

2015 marks over a hundred years since the birth of African-American films. The history of the African-American films is a harsh timeline of racism, struggle and repression and struggle contrasted with redemption and artistic spirit.

FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILMMAKERS

Oscar Micheaux is often considered as the father of Black/African-American filmmakers. The actual timeline shows William D. Foster began producing films nearly a decade earlier than Micheaux's first film.

1900’sIn 1910, Foster, a sports writer for the Chicago Defender, formed the Foster Photoplay Company, the first independent Black/African-American film company in Chicago. Foster wasn't a complete novice to show business; he had also worked as a press agent for vaudeville stars Bert Williams and George Walker.

Williams would have an impact on African-American films in 1916 as he would become the first black person to produce, write, direct and star in two films for Biograph Studio. At the time, no film studio had ever given a person of color full control of his own films.

Chicago would continue serve as the center of African American film production. As black film companies relied on the talent and publicity networking in the city. Chicago is home of one of the first Black-owned theaters to show movies.

The Pekin at 27th and State Streets in Chicago was one of the first elaborate movie “palaces” built specifically for Black audiences.

In 1912, Foster, produced and directed The Railroad Porter, the first all-black film released. The film attempted to address the outright derogatory stereotypes of African-American in films at the time.

In 1915, A film was released that showed extreme negative and humiliating stereotypes of African-Americans while trying to give a historical perspective of the Civil War. The Birth of Nation directed by D.W Griffith. A film that was boycotted by the NAACP (National Association Advancement of Colored People) and was banned in 19 states.

In response to The Birth of A Nation, In 1915, George and Noble Johnson established the first African-American-owned studio, The Lincoln Motion Picture Company. The company became the first producer of “race movies,” which featured all-black casts for an all-black audience with titles such The Realization of a Negro's Ambition (1916) and the Trooper of Troop K (1917) and their most well-known film, The Birth of a Race (1918).

The Johnson's’ movies featured black soldiers, black families and black heroes, concepts not seen in mainstream films at that time.

Oscar MicheauxIn 1919, Oscar Micheaux made his film debut with The Homesteader based on his own novel.

He would go on to direct over 40 films like most notably Within Our Gates (1920) considered an impassioned response to The Birth of a Nation and Body and Soul (1925), which featured film star Paul Robeson, and God's Step Children (1938).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bID5QUwqSLM Within Our Gates clip

Micheaux's films explored the issues of the day: passing, which is when a person classified as a member of one racial group is accepted as a member of a different racial group, lynching, religion and criminal behavior. Micheaux's films attracted controversy. Some black film critics criticized his work for its portrayal of blacks, which they said sometimes put forth the same stereotypes found in mainstream films.

Micheaux’s films were independently produced until he filed bankruptcy in 1928, reorganizing with white investors as the Micheaux Film Company. Many felt that the reorganization changed the tone and direction of his films.

Micheaux’s situation showed the uphill battle by black filmmakers and performers, to achieve acceptance and respect and a profit.

Oscar Micheaux

Many of the early African-American films had “poor” production values because they were literally making something out of nothing.

In 1980‘s, archivist G. William Jones supervised a major restoration project of early black films. He said 1921 was a peak year for distribution within an integrated production/distribution/exhibition system. This system would last until the mid-1950s.

1920’sIn the 20’s, there were certain types of roles were emerging during Hollywood’s golden era the only roles mainstream black actors were given the opportunity to play were humiliating and usually racist. Few were as successful as Stepin Fetchit, who starred in Hearts of Dixie in 1927.

He was billed as “the Laziest Man in the World,” Fetchit was the first black actor to make millions in the film industry.

In 1929, Hallelujah was considered a technical diamond of a film because it was one of the first movies in Hollywood to combine field sound with studio sound. The all black cast was among the first for a major Hollywood studio, M-G-M. It was considered both a major risk and breakthrough to tell a story about African American life. Director King Vidor was nominated for an Academy Award for his efforts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHnmmoYRKYI Hallejuah (T)

1930’sAfrican American actors were offered roles in the 1930s that reflected the social stereotypes and limited job opportunities for African Americans at the time.

There was a small ray of sunshine hope through the clouds of doubt and despair in the 30’s. The usual stereotypes of blacks in films could not be see in the work of Eloyce Gist, an African-American woman filmmaker, who, with her husband, James, made religious films. Gist, a D.C. native, drove around with a camera, shooting footage that used “real” people as actors. Her films, Hellbound Train and Verdict: Not Guilty, were released in 1930 and were strongly endorsed by the NAACP.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2gCY2P8qR8 Hellbound Trailer (T)

Gist’s efforts couldn’t divert Hollywood stereotypical attitude as it continued to show African Americans in roles as butlers, drivers, laborers, maids, and mammies in such films Show Boat (1936), and Gone with the Wind (1939.)

The Littlest Rebel (1935), with Shirley Temple and Bill ‘Bo Jangles’ Robinson, an extraordinary dancer who had a great screen presence. He worked with Shirley Temple in four movies. These films and other continued to present the stereotype of the devoted obedient servant.

1940’sIn 1940, Hattie McDaniel became the first black actor to win an Academy Award. She was named best supporting actress for her role as Mammy in Gone With the Wind. She was the first African-American actor to ever be nominated and was the first African-American guest at the awards ceremony.

In her film career, McDaniel was in over 300 films but given screen credit in about 80, most of which were roles as domestics.

When she was criticized by the NAACP for playing such roles she fired back, "I could either get paid $100 a month as a real maid or $750 a week playing one in the movies!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ7r2OVu1ss

Hattie McDaniels in Gone With The Wind Clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7t4pTNZshA

Hattie McDaniel Winning Best Supporting Actress Oscar

NAACP

In the 1940s and 1950s, movie-goers began to see a shift in the ways African-American characters were written and portrayed in mainstream Hollywood films. One factor that contributed to the opening of film roles for African Americans was the involvement of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) within Hollywood itself.

In 1942, representatives from the local NAACP Bureau met with executives from several major Hollywood studios and brokered an agreement to improve the portrayals of African Americans in film by decreasing the reliance on traditional stereotypes.

The NAACP also worked to increase opportunities for African Americans working behind the scenes, increasing the representation of African Americans throughout the film industry.

Limited Roles

Although the range of roles available for African American actors largely remained limited in mixed race films, major motion picture studios began producing films featuring well-known Black entertainers and musicians as leading actors in films with all-Black casts. During this time, there was a surge of well-known entertainers, including Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington in Cabin in the Sky, 1943 and Lena Horne in Stormy Weather, 1942, who took their musical talents to the big screen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ras01nlZqbY

Stormy Weather (T)

In 1942, Lena Horne becomes the first African American actress to sign a long term contract with a major studio (M-G-M)

1950’sIn the 1950s would have large productions featuring all-Black casts such as Carmen Jones, 1954; St. Louis Blues, 1958; and Porgy and Bess, 1959.

1955, Dorothy Dandridge playing the title role in Carmen Jones becomes the first African American nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87p9KQp0ujk Carmen Jones (T)

There would be diversity in the roles for African-American actors as they would experience character development that would complement those of their White acting counterparts and the way they shared screen time. Like Sidney Poitier in The Defiant Ones in 1958 which he co-stars with Tony Curtis; they play prison convicts chained together who had to rely on each other.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBrw8dmgarM The Defiant Ones (T)

There was continued the pleas and demands from the African American community for greater socioeconomic inclusion, equality in the U.S. and to reduce stereotypical representations of Blacks in film.

The growing momentum of the Civil Rights Movement brought more changes in Hollywood.

1960’sThe 1960s would roll with the changes. In films, there was greater cast integration and direct engagement with the meanings of race in America.

Poitier and Curtis

Films in the 1960s began to incorporate more character development in African-American roles and greater family involvement. This decade saw the first feature film from a major studio both written and directed by an African American. Gordon Parks brought The Learning Tree, 1969, a coming-of-age story of a Black teenager in the 1920s to the masses.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI7VE5w3h04

The Learning Tree Clip

Parks would go on to direct Shaft, the private-eye who would stand up for his brother man.

One African-American actor would have a great impact on films in the 60’s was Sidney Poitier.

Sidney Poitier’s career is a prime example of the changes coming to Hollywood.  Poitier became one of the best-known and seen African-American actors during the 1960s. He achieved many and varied opportunities to showcase his acting versatility, which many of his male and female African-American acting counterparts were denied at the time.

One of Poitier’s best performance was considered to be in “A Raisin in the Sun (1961).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZK3EX6N1tI A Raisin in the Sun clip

Poitier was the first black actor to win an Academy Award for “Lilies of the Field (1963).”

Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCzTyxXPy1o

Sidney Poitier Wins Best Actor 1964

Throughout the 1960s, Poitier had a consistent output including Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (1967) and In the Heat of the Night (1967) which co-starred Rod Steiger.

In The Heat of the Night, has one scene that is still considered one of the most pivotal moments in cinema, where Poitier’s character, Detective Virgil Tibbs is slapped by a bigoted plantation owner, and Tibbs slaps him back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aixV4KmAsb4 The Heat of the Night slap

In Poitier’s autobiography, “This Life,” he said that times were difficult, and he had to find a way to connect to the audience under the circumstances.

1970’s

In the 1970s, interesting opportunities opened up for African American actors, directors, writers, and producers. The films from this decade, were ranging from action, comedy, drama, documentary, horror or romance.

Blaxploitation cinema which marked a significant change in how African Americans were presented in films.

Blaxploitation steered the older stereotypes of African Americans as servants, and victims from the backroads to the cinematic highway while going full speed envisioning African Americans as avengers and heroes.

There was one film considered the one that kicked off the new genre.

Melvin Van Peebles' Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971) was considered revolutionary and opened in two theaters. Van Peebles made the film for $500,000; it grossed $10 million.

The films of the 1970s demonstrate a dramatic change in representations of African Americans in mainstream films. This film genre features African American characters who are empowered and self-sufficient.

Many of the well-known Blaxploitation films films such as SHAFT, SUPERFLY, THE MACK, CLEOPATRA JONES and BLACULA were action thrillers and featured extreme situations of violence, sex, and drug-use. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk3IRUh2TJU Superfly (T)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CukEP_KnFiQ Shaft (T)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J5IRiBmt-o Cleopatra Jones (T)

Many people believe Barack Obama was the first African-American President, not true, cinema wise.

In 1972, The Man starred James Earl Jones stars as Douglass Dilman, a black man who becomes President of the United States after the untimely deaths of the President and Speaker of the House. The Vice President was too sick to the chief executive duties take over. Jones brilliantly navigates through the struggle over power and identity in this not well known movie that shows the complexity of race and class in the Oval Office.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeINMIJaaXA The Man - Full Movie

The 70’s did bring films with family themes such as Sounder (1972) The oldest son of a loving and strong family of black sharecroppers comes of age in the Depression-era South after his father is imprisoned for stealing food. The film starred Cicely Tyson, Paul Winfield and Kevin Hooks.

And 1974’s Claudine was about Claudine played by Diahann Carroll, a mother trying to provide for her six children in Harlem while on welfare. She has a romance with Roop played by James Earl Jones.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8dn9C-5y10 Sounder (T)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP-v7kxrwdE Claudine (T)

In 1973-Two African-American women are nominated for Best Actress Oscars-Diana Ross for Lady Sings The Blues and Cicely Tyson for Sounder.

70‘s action roles were not just for men as Pam Grier lead the way with some butt-kicking roles like Coffy, Foxy Brown and Friday Foster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3DPuPILahg Coffy (T)

Blaxploitation cinema would have a quick and harsh death due to the public and associations like the NAACP and PUSH outcries, demands and backlash.

1980’sIn the 80’s, the African-American film experience would be two steps backwards and one foot forward. Not as many African-American films were made, but many actors received acclaim, nominations and awards.

In 1983, Louis Gossett Jr. won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for An Officer and a Gentleman.

Actress Alfre Woodard was Oscar nominated for Best Supporting Actress for the film Cross Creek.

Morgan Freeman received a Oscar nomination for his role in Driving Miss Daisy.

In 1985, “The Color Purple,” directed by Steven Spielberg, was a film that dealt with the hardships and the inner conflicts of the African-American woman; it starred Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg, and received 11 Oscar nominations.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzGrDgu08r8

The Color Purple (T)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy2GKyD2IoQ

Powerful scene from The Color Purple with Oprah Winfrey

Goldberg, who was nominated for Best Actress for The Color Purple, went on to receive an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in “Ghost” (1990).

In 1987, Denzel Washington would receive an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor as activist Steven Biko in Cry Freedom.

Two years later, he would win for Best Supporting Actor in Glory.

1986 would mark the beginning of one of the most interesting filmmakers ever. Spike Lee debuts his film She’s Gotta Have It.

Lee received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay with 1989‘s Do The Right Thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ny631yQ-DM Do The Right Thing (T)

The "New Black Wave", beginning in the 1980s led by directors such as Lee and Robert Townsend with his great comedy, Hollywood Shuffle.

1990’sThe wave would continue in to the 90’s with films like House Party with the Hudlin Brothers, 1990), Boyz N the Hood (John Singleton, 1991), Straight Out of Brooklyn (Matty Rich, 1991), One False Move (Carl Franklin, 1991), Juice (Ernest Dickerson, 1992), Just Another Girl on the I.R.T (Leslie Harris, 1992) and Jason’s Lyric (Doug McHenry, 1994).

Boyz N the Hood writer-director John Singleton becomes the first African-American to receive an Oscar nod for Best Director. He’s the youngest person at age 24, ever nominated in the category.

Angela Bassett’s performance of Tina Turner in  1993’s What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993), won her the Golden Globe for Best Performance, and an Oscar nomination. Her co-star Lawrence Fishburne received a Best Actor Oscar nomination as Ike Turner.

Morgan Freeman would get an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for 1994’s The Shawshank Redemption.

Samuel L. Jackson as a scripture-quoting hit man in 1994’s Pulp Fiction would earn him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination.

Cuba Gooding Jr. wins an Oscar for his performance in 1996’s Jerry Maguire.

Will Smith, rap artist and star of TV’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air became box office gold worldwide with films like Independence Day, Men In Black and Enemy of The State.

2000’sThe wave would subside to a ripple in the 2000’s as the number of African American films released in theaters would be down. Yet, the recognition of African-American actors and actresses would be felt throughout Hollywood.

In 2002, Denzel Washington for Training Day and Halle Berry for Monster’s Ball become the first African Americans to win Academy Awards in both the Best Actor and Best Actress categories.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llgL7mGYVTI

Halle Berry Oscar Win

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLKDfyFjQtc

Denzel Washington Oscar Win

Relatively unknown actress from “American Idol fame,” Jennifer Hudson, collected the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2006’s Dreamgirls.

In 2007, Forest Whitaker won an Oscar for Best Actor for his performance in The Last King of Scotland.

Ruby Dee was the oldest African-American actress to be nominated for an Oscar at age 83 for American Gangster in 2007.

In 2009, Mo’Nique won Oscar gold for best Supporting Actress in the film Precious.

Octavia Spencer gets the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2011’s The Help.

In a gut wrenching performance, Lupita Nyong’o wins an Oscar for

12 Years a Slave in 2014.

2015In 2015, the question is has there been progress? Have the racial attitudes and the use of stereotypes in films changed. Does the African-American actor in a horror film make it to the end of the film?

Historically, African-American films have been intertwined with social issues that includes class levels among the race which leads to controversy.

The history of African-American film experience revolves around the same circle which can be never closed because one African-American’s social experience like class issues, racial situations, stereotypes and education are different from another African-American’s experience.

The controversy over Tyler Perry and Lee Daniels' films has a lot to do with class issues, something that Oscar Micheaux also experienced.

A Different Way

Some African-American filmmakers have broken down some walls by forging their own ways through independent storytelling.

Selma director Ava DuVernay who in 2011 founded AFFRM – the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement. She used her experience as a film publicist and marketer and launched the organization that connected underserved black audiences with films that played like on the black festival circuit. Many of the films were unable to secure mainstream distribution until assisted by AFFRM.

AFFRM has released films including Alrick Brown’s Kinyarwanda (2011), Andrew Dosunmu’s Restless City (2011), and DuVernay’s own films I Will Follow (2011) and Middle of Nowhere (2012).

AFFRM launched an online membership drive, using a grassroots to the people approach through by social media.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6t7vVTxaic

Selma (T)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crx0OEYIvB8

Ava DuVernay talking about films

Conclusion

The approach can be different, but the goal is still the same to tell cinematic stories of the African-American experience.

As history continues, African-American cinema will face constant scrutiny because its films are closely linked to social issues and different social experiences. Yet, African-American filmmakers can still dream.

The motto at Tyler Perry’s studio is “A Place Where Even Dreams Believe.”

Mr. Perry has an very interesting insight on success.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGq-xlr5pMY Tyler Perry

The timeline has been interesting for African-American films.

Yes, there has been struggle.

Yes, there has been repression.

Yes, there have been moments of redemption.

One thing for sure is that the African-American artistic spirit will keep going and going to last another 100 years and beyond.

Links to the actual History of African-American Films Lecture presented by Art Byrd at the Warren Main Library on Febrauary 28, 2015

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLt9CzFPO9Y

History of African-American Films Part 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5PjICqYhlc

History of African-American Films Part 2

Biography-Art Byrd

Art Byrd is an instructor at Youngstown State University. He teaches a course called The History of Motion Pictures.

Art considers himself a movie enthusiast. He does movie reviews for The Review and The Buckeye Review Newspaper in the Mahoning and Trumbull County area.

Art has a video background working many years as a former video journalist for WFMJ TV, a local TV station in Youngstown. He co-received a 2002 first place award from the Ohio Associated Press for “Best Investigative Reporting” for a television news story called “Missing Money.”

Art is a six year member of Executive 408 Toastmasters in Youngstown.He is an Advanced Communicator Gold and working his Advanced Leader Silver moving his way towards his DTM.

Currently, he is the V.P of Public Relations for his club. Additionally, he is the Area Governor for Area 13.

Art write a few blogs on subjects such as Filmmaking, Customer Service and one that has a Toastmasters theme called “What I Have Learned This Week In Toastmasters.”

As a filmmaker, Art has had several short films shown in film festivals in Los Angeles and Cleveland. His short film, The Ballet Audition has over 2 million views on YouTube.

For follow Art on Twitter @artbyrdview Email @artbyrdagain@yahoo.com

ART BYRD FILMOGRAPHY

MAGNIFY (2009) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpYaOoNDMaU

SUDS of LOVE (2010) (Documentary)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dpKEc7GNak

“14” (2009) Pittsburgh Steelers Fan Saga or Save https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzS_knNSp2Q

THE LAST GAME (2008) (Documentary)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkKx3y6zErY

THE GUILTY VERDICT (2008)

EMOTIONAL RELOAD (2007) Clipshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfRxT3iY_qwhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wi_ifdpPPak

A CHOICE OF DISRESPECT (2007) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWYSg_qy1BI

THE AUDITION (2006)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzRKZ_9AUSQ

FINAL EXAM (2005)

EYES WIDE OPEN (2005) (Documentary)

ENCHANTED EVENING AT THE GARDEN-BALLET (2005) (Performance)

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - BALLET (2004) (Performance)

WHEN IT HAPPENS (2004)

THE FIRST MOVIE DATE (2004)

SOUNDOCTRINE: THE ROAD TO PERSERVANCE (2003) (Documentary)

ONE GREAT DINNER (2003)

JUST LIKE ME (2000/2003)

ART BYRD FILMOGRAPHY

A CRIME OPERA (2002) (Documentary)

AN EVENING WITH STRAIGHT NOTE CHASER (2002) (Documentary)

THE MOVING WALL OF EMOTIONS (2001) (Documentary)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PqZcL1wlgQ

THE DOCTORS IS UPSTAIRS (1999)

ON LINE LOVE (1996)

110% TO THE END (1995) (Documentary)

THE TAUNT (1991)

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gullahgeecheeconnection.wordpress.com Bert Williams

www.musicals101.com Bert Williams and George Walker

fashionbombdaily.com Lena Horne

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www.allposters.com Dorothy Dandridge

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cheaperdrugsnow.blogspot.com Defiant Ones

123movies.tv The Learning Tree

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takeonehundred.blogspot.com Guess Who Coming To Dinner

www.pinterest.com In The Heat Of The Night

www.avintagenerd.com THE SLAP

www.moviepostershop.com Blacula

Photo Creditsalexinmovieland.blogspot.com Cicely Tyson Sounder

www.oscars.org Louis Gossett Jr.

oscarbrigade.blogspot.com Alfre Woodard Cross Creek

www.matttrailer.comThe Color Purple

www.artistdirect.com The Color Purple-Oprah

www.oprah.com The Color Purple -Whoopi

classicblanca.blogspot.com Denzel-Glory

butterflyexpressions.wordpress.com Denzel- Oscar

www.ladepeche.fr Spike Lee 80’s

www.musicismysanctuary.com Do the Right thing poster

www.antoniogenna.net She Gotta Have It poster

www.movieposter.com House Party

pinterest.com One False Movie

www.andsoitbeginsfilms.com John Singleton

en.wikipedia.org Another Girl on the IRT

www.tumblr.com Angela B and L Fishburne

filmmakeriq.com Samuel L. Jackson

www.mtv.com Cuba Gooding Jr.

www.eonline.com Ruby Dee

www.cleveland.com Ruby Dee

thatgrapejuice.net Mo’nique

Photo Credits

www.staragora.com Mo’nique

elpensadorcompulsivo.blogspot.com Octavia Spencer

psms29.com Octavia Spencer

www.mwakilishi.com Lupita Nyong’o

www.citypress.co.za Lupita

Video Link Creditshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2gCY2P8qR8

Hellbound with Gist

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ7r2OVu1ss

hattie and Scarlet and Mammy (Gone with the wind)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7t4pTNZshA

Hattie McDaniel Winning Best Supporting Actress

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ras01nlZqbY

Stormy Weather 1943

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87p9KQp0ujk

Carmen Jones trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBrw8dmgarM

The Defiant Ones Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wI7VE5w3h04

The Learning Tree Clip

Video Link Creditshttps:/www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZK3EX6N1tI

A Raisin in the Sun Clip

Sidney Poitier and Rudy Dee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCzTyxXPy1o

Sidney Poitier Wins Best Actor 1964

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aixV4KmAsb4

Heat of the Night Slap

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk3IRUh2TJU

Superfly Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CukEP_KnFiQ

Shaft Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3DPuPILahg

Coffy Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J5IRiBmt-o

Cleopatra Jones Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeINMIJaaXA

The Man- Full Movie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8dn9C-5y10

Sounder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP-v7kxrwdE

Claudine

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgHDZNr9hyM

The lady sings the blues-Diana Ross

Video Link Creditshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzGrDgu08r8

The Color Purple Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iy2GKyD2IoQ

Powerful scene from the Color Purple with Oprah Winfrey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ny631yQ-DM

Do The Right Things Official Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE4BdijGtu4

Boyz N The Hood Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLKDfyFjQtc

Denzel Wins an Oscar 2002

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llgL7mGYVTI

Halle Berry Oscar Wins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6t7vVTxaic

Selma

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crx0OEYIvB8

Ava DuVernay Talking about

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGq-xlr5pMY

Tyler Perry –How to be successful

@Route 352 EBook