African American
Rhona Bennett: From Darkchild Records to En Vogue
Explore Rhona Bennett’s journey from actress and solo artist to En Vogue star, including her lost album Rhona and hit single “Satisfied.”
Who Was the First Rapper? Tracing the Roots of a Cultural Revolution
Determining who the “first rapper” was isn’t as straightforward as naming a single artist or moment. Rap didn’t emerge overnight—it evolved over decades, shaped by a blend of musical, cultural, and social influences.
Photography and the Secret of Frederick Douglass’ Power
Frederick Douglass, who was born into slavery and became an influential orator, writer and intellectual, was the most photographed person in America in the 19th century.
What is Juneteenth?
Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating emancipation of enslaved black Americans. It is also often observed for celebrating African-American culture. Originating in Galveston, Texas, it has been celebrated annually on June 19 in...
Bélizaire and the Frey Children: The Portrait That Refused to Be Erased
Discover the remarkable story behind Bélizaire and the Frey Children, a rare 1837 portrait revealing the realities of slavery in the American South.
Arthur Duncan and Betty White Changed TV History
Discover how tap dancer Arthur Duncan got his big break from Betty White during the Jim Crow era and helped break racial barriers on television.
The Lost Black Town Beneath Dulles Airport
Before Dulles Airport, Willard, Virginia was a thriving Black community built by formerly enslaved families before eminent domain erased it forever.
The Last Slave Ship Survivor Died in 1940… And Nobody Knew
Discover the extraordinary life of Matilda McCrear, the last known survivor of the illegal slave ship Clotilda and a forgotten witness to history.
Jaafar Jackson Reveals Hardest Michael Performance to Recreate for King of Pop Biopic
Jaafar Jackson is with ET's Kevin Frazier in Berlin ahead of the release of Michael Jackson's biopic, 'Michael'.
George Washington Carver’s Secret Life as an Artist
George Washington Carver was many things over his lifetime: a student, a teacher, an artist, a researcher, an environmentalist, a pianist, an inventor.
Jennifer Hudson sings 'A Change Is Gonna Come' at Rev. Jesse Jackson funeral in Chicago
Jennifer Hudson delivers a powerful rendition of “A Change Is Gonna Come” at Rev. Jesse Jackson’s funeral in Chicago, honoring the civil rights icon’s enduring legacy.
The Tuckers: Descendants of America’s First African Family
Meet the Tucker family, descendants of the first documented African family in English North America, and explore their powerful American legacy.
Ten Million Names Project Honors Enslaved Ancestors
Discover how the Ten Million Names project is working to recover and preserve the identities of enslaved African Americans through research and genealogy.
19th-Century “Information Wanted” Ads by Freed Slaves Reveal Lost Families
Discover how 19th-century newspaper ads placed by newly freed slaves are uncovering powerful stories of families torn apart by slavery and the lasting quest for reunion.
America's First Museum Dedicated to Telling the Story of Slavery
The Whitney Plantation is the first museum dedicated to telling the story of slavery in America and memorialized all who have worked and lived on it's grounds.
Ralph Bunche: First Black Nobel Peace Prize Winner
Discover how Ralph Bunche became the first Black Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1950 and shaped modern diplomacy through the United Nations.
