The First Black Kiss on Film: Rediscovering Joy in 1898
Something Good – Negro Kiss (1898): The first Black kiss on film featuring Saint Suttle and Gertie Brown. This rediscovered silent short challenged early cinema stereotypes, explore its history, rediscovery, and why it matters for Black film history.
What’s in a Name? Discovering Big Maceo Merriweather
Big Maceo Merriweather hammered blues piano from Georgia farms to Detroit parties and Chicago's Bluebird Records, crafting "Worried Life Blues"—a hit that shaped rock legends. Discover his migration story, thunderous left-hand groove, and how a museum visit connected his legacy to one family's son.
Hazel Scott: Jazz Genius, Activist Icon, Silenced by the Red Scare
Hazel Scott, child piano prodigy turned jazz icon, dazzled Juilliard at 8, headlined Café Society over Billie Holiday, and broke TV barriers as the first Black woman with her own CBS show, discover her bold fight against racism, McCarthyism, and Hollywood stereotypes.
Louis Armstrong: 20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
Most people know Louis Armstrong as a jazz legend with a gravelly voice and unforgettable trumpet sound. But there’s much more to his story. Here are 20 fascinating facts about the man who changed American music forever.
Jesse Owens: 20 Facts You Probably Didn’t Know
At the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens won four gold medals and challenged Nazi racial ideology on the world stage. These 20 facts explore his athletic achievements and lasting legacy.