Black History Year

Against all odds, Sylvia Robinson transformed her setbacks into the world's first hip-hop record and ignited a global movement. Without her, hip-hop may not be what it is today. Here’s how she laid the foundation for hip-hop to go worldwide. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of...

Drumbeats filled the air, navels pressed against each other, and hips swayed. A dance of celebration was one of the few things the Congolese were able to take into enslavement. The history of the rumba is a tale of cultural erasure. _____________ 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 hi...

He was told Black blood shouldn’t be mixed with white blood. Refusing to accept this racism, he chose another, more powerful path. His story is ironic, given that he was the one who made blood storage possible in the first place. _____________ 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 histo...

She got heated often. Yelled. Raged. Her emotions were belittled. She was called Sapphire and used to weaponize how Black women express anger. Thankfully, she stayed mad, and her rage was her greatest teacher of what it means to protest. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the stories of Bla...

DJs have always played an integral role in Black culture. From the underground clubs of Chicago and Detroit to the block parties of the Bronx, these sonic architects have built spaces that challenge oppression and foster community. So, how do these masters of sound harness this technical, emotional, and intuitive element to create environments for Black expression? Today, we’re diving into the art...

Reesa Teesa broke the internet with her 50-part video series, “‘Who TF Did I Marry?” Her storytelling captivated the audience, but Reesa was continuing a centuries-old Black tradition. _____________ 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 PushB...

Black women singing sexually explicit lyrics wasn’t a new trend in the 1990s. But 90s R&B is unmatched in its influence. The powerful voices and lyrics of 90s R&B queens inspired other women to find strength and liberation within themselves. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the st...

You’ve likely heard about Jesse Owens, Flo-Jo, and other Olympic greats, but these two women were hidden from history. Until now. _____________ 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...

The crowd erupted into joy at the words of the white man. They were free, he said. But their joy would be short-lived. A beast like slavery wasn’t about to go out with mere words. _____________ 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...

In this episode, we will revisit and reframe significant moments from Black pop culture history where Black women artists have utilized their platforms, mediums, and personal experiences to advocate for justice. From Carrie Mae Weems' Kitchen Table series to Ntozake Shange's For Colored Girls, we aim to highlight how Black women artists amplify the voices of the unheard and bring visibility to the...

Whether you prefer Crystal or Texas Pete, hot sauce is a table staple for us. But beyond our love of well-seasoned food, the spicy condiment has played a meaningful role in the culture worth sinking your teeth into. _____________ 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...

Despite constant danger, the people in Maroon colonies in the bayous of New Orleans insisted on living free and proud, defying the injustices that had once sought to crush 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 ha...

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 did...

Black beauticians were pivotal in keeping revolutionary organizations and their newspapers out of bankruptcy. Marcus Garvey’s ‘Negro World’ was just one paper that remained solvent thanks to Black beauticians. Here’s how these women kept liberation on the page. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to am...

Host Darren sits down with award-winning scholar and fashion expert Kimberly Jenkins about the subversive power of adornment in enslavement, the Harlem Renaissance, the Civil Rights Movement, and contemporary Black identity. Don’t miss this rich conversation about fashion, sustainability, and the power of Black creativity. To learn more about Kimberly’s Fashion and Race Database, visit fashionandr...

It’s an everyday phrase you’ve probably heard used to describe warm feelings or used as harmless “baby talk.” But its real meaning has hideous racist origins. _____________ 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 cont...

There are so many creative ways to talk about being nude. Buck naked is one that you may use often. Except the phrase “buck naked” has a history that makes us want to cover up completely. _____________ 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 Pu...

The “dozens” goes by many names: trash talking, flaming, jonesing, slipping, bagging, roasting, capping, or snapping, and many others. Each generation plays it in its own way, but the basics stay the same. Here’s how it started. _____________ 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 histor...

Host Darren sits down with award-winning music journalist Marcus J. Moore for a deep dive into Tupac Shakur’s lasting impact as a Black revolutionary, cultural icon, and boundary-defying artist. Through compelling connections to the Black Panther Party, Kendrick Lamar, and the evolution of hip hop, this episode unpacks the complexity of Tupac’s humanity, the mythology of his legacy, and how his li...

There isn’t a single Black event — cookout, party, wedding, you name it — that doesn’t involve the Electric Slide. And honestly, if you’re rolling up to a Black event and this song isn’t on the playlist, then what’s really going on? _____________ 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 hi...

Our African ancestors were such tremendous swimmers that Europeans believed Africans were sea creatures. They used Africans’ ability to swim to dehumanize 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 co...

Mainstream society demonizes Black gangs like the Crips, claiming they’re violent criminals. But history shows them in a completely different light, and it’s time to shed some on the true story behind the infamous organization. _____________ 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...

What’s the first thing you think of when you see a Ford Mustang? It’s one of the world's most well-known and loved muscle cars, and still a dream ride for many car enthusiasts. But what you may not know is it has a special connection to Black history. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the...

Long before he became the highest-grossing actor of all time, Samuel L. Jackson was affiliated with the Black Panther Party. His brave act of resistance at Morehouse College, even taking MLK Sr. hostage, unexpectedly set him on the path to fame. _____________ 2-Minute Black History is produced by PushBlack, the nation's largest non-profit Black media company. PushBlack exists to amplify the storie...

Host Darren and today’s Black History Year guest, Angelica Jade Bastién—the seriously funny writer and cultural critic behind “ Madwomen & Muses ”—tackle hot topics like “coonin'” as entertainment, if Kenya Barris is helping or hurting the culture, and the challenges of creating Black comedy in spaces that weren’t built for it. Get ready to laugh through this deep dive into the history of Blac...