Black History
LPB is proud to celebrate Black History! We bring you a lineup of films and moments, memories and people in Black history that inspire!
Once again, Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB) teams up with the Baton Rouge Area Foundation to bring viewers the presentation of this year’s Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence.
Safe Haven: Louisiana’s Green Book - Explore Louisiana's Green Book History!
The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence
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FEATURED DOCUMENTARIES FROM LPB
Louisiana’s Black Church: The Politics of Perseverance
How has the black church helped Louisiana’s African American community persevere through centuries of turmoil? From the Civil Rights Movement of days past to the struggles of the modern age, LPB explores the importance of the Black Church in Louisiana, taking you on a journey across our state to show you the history and the culture that makes our state so unique.
The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song
An intimate four-hour series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr., The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song explores the 400-year-old story of the black church in America, the changing nature of worship spaces, and the men and women who shepherded them from the pulpit, the choir loft, and church pews.
Click here for more on The Black Church
Signpost to Freedom: The 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott
“Signpost to Freedom: The 1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott” is a one hour documentary that recounts the circumstances and events that led to the nation’s first large-scale boycott protesting segregation and then examines its impact on the evolution of grassroots civil rights activism across the country during the early years of America's Civil Rights Movement.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
- February is Black History Month, a time to honor the important role African Americans play in the story of our country. Learn how this observance originated with @PBSTeachers 'All About the Holidays'! (Grades: K-5)
- Watch @TheAmandaGorman, poet, writer, and the Inaugural National Youth Poet Laureate, recite her original poem "Talking Gets Us There" from the "@PBSKIDS Talk About: Race and Racism" special. Share this and talk about celebrating differences and speaking out against racism with the children in your life. (All grade levels)
- By kindergarten, most children have heard of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and learned that he was an advocate for peace and equality. Here are ways to take Black History a step further this month and year-round. (Ages 2-8)
- Introduce your children to Black artists and artwork while learning about Black history! Here are ways you can use art to help spark conversations with your child. (Ages 2-8)
- Help your kids celebrate Black culture today and every day! In this booklist, you'll find a Coretta Scott King award-winning picture book, a story about a little girl with beautiful hair, a book of 40 biographies on remarkable Black women, and more. (Ages 2-8)
- Introduce your students to the Ashanti people, natives of the west coast of Africa, with this "Between the Lions" story-time segment! As they watch and learn, they'll build their word knowledge — and love of reading. (Grades: PreK-1)
- Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech is one of the most inspirational pieces of rhetoric in American history. In honor of Black History Month, learn more about the lasting influence of his words with this virtual learning-ready lesson plan. (Grades: 6-12) Celebrate Black History Month by introducing students to Shirley Chisholm, the first female Black candidate for president! Virtual learning-friendly resources highlight Chisholm's life, historic campaign, and the times in which she lived. (Grades: 6-12)
- Have you heard the story of Anansi the spider? Inspire a love of creative storytelling in your students with this African folktale about why spiders don’t have hair. (Grades: PreK-5)
For more resources, sign up for LPB's monthly Educator and LPB's Parent newsletter at https://lpb.org/newsletters.