Through the Grapevine: Making Black America
About
Over the course of four hours, Making Black America takes viewers into an extraordinary world that showcases Black people’s ability to collectively prosper, defy white supremacy, and define Blackness in ways that transformed America itself.
The first episode explores how free Black people, in the North and South, built towns, established schools, held conventions – creating robust networks to address the political, economic, and social needs of the entire Black community. The second episode explores how African Americans turn within, creating a community that not only sustains but empowers. From HBCUs to Black businesses to the Harlem Renaissance to political organizations, Black life flourished. Hosted by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Airdates
Fridays, February 3 and 10, at 9pm and 10pm on CET
Episode One
As early as 1775, free Black people in the North and South built towns, established schools, and held conventions ─ creating robust networks to address the political, economic, and social needs of the entire Black community.
Episode Two
With the hopes of a multi-racial community dashed, African Americans turn within, creating a community that not only sustains but empowers. From HBCUs to Black businesses to the Harlem Renaissance to political organizations, Black life flourished.
Episode Three
To survive a period of economic cataclysm and global war, African Americans relied on informal economies, grassroots organizations and cultural innovations behind the color line to sustain themselves and dismantle the oppressive realities of Jim Crow.
Episode Four
Despite the gains of legal desegregation, all Black political and cultural movements – from Black Power to Black Twitter – continued to provide a safe space for a community riven by class, sexuality and generational divisions to debate, organize and celebrate.
Post expires at 10:30am on Monday February 13th, 2023
