Black Culture Connection

Explore Black history and culture though films, stories, and voices across public media.

Welcome to PBS' Black Culture Connection. This is a place where we celebrate Black experiences, learn Black history, and uplift Black voices. Come for the documentaries, stay for the Block Parties.

The Express Way with Dulé Hill

Premieres April 23:

THE EXPRESS WAY WITH DULÉ HILL is a premium documentary series that explores the power of the arts. Led by renowned actor, dancer, and singer, Dulé Hill, the series captures diverse artists’ stories from across America, celebrating community, humanity, and the transformative potential of creative expression.

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Climate, Nature & Our Planet

Watch documentaries and read articles from series like NOVA, NATURE, and FRONTLINE about how our climate is changing with the perspective of climate scientists.

Supa Modo

From AfroPop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange: Jo, a witty 9-year-old terminally ill girl, is taken back to her rural village of Maweni to live out the rest of her short life. Her only comfort during these dull times are her dreams of being a superhero, which prove to be something her rebellious teenage sister Mwix, overprotective mother Kathryn and entire community believe they can fulfill.

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GOSPEL

GOSPEL, the latest history series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr., digs deep into the origin story of Black spirituality through sermon and song. Stream all four parts with Passport.

In this clip, see how gospel music moved from the church into the record stores. Until the 1940s, male quartets dominated gospel recordings. But, in 1947, Apollo Records, a small independent label decided to take a chance on Mahalia Jackson, an accomplished singer on the Chicago gospel scene. The success of "Move on Up a Little Higher" proved that Gospel music could be both spiritual and profitable.

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HBCU Week: Tradition and Competition

Dive into HBCU football culture: witness the rivalry of Hampton & Howard, a testament to tradition and spirit, and appreciate the intensity of an NC A&T vs. NC Central game, a match steeped in proximity and pride.

Nigerians Throw Parties, Create Community In Detroit

A Homegrown: Future Visions short film. members of a Nigerian social club in Detroit redefine community within their adopted homelands. As the elders age, their descendants worry that their traditions will be lost to time.

Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting On Two Fronts

The film examines the profound and often-contradictory roles played by Buffalo Soldiers in U.S. history, and how they fought on two sets of front lines: military conflicts abroad and civil rights struggles at home.

Breaking The News

Independent Lens

Who decides which stories get told? A story of an America in flux, and the voices often left out of the narrative, this documentary shows change doesn’t come easy.

How It Feels To Be Free

American Masters

A documentary that tells the inspiring story of how six iconic African American women entertainers – Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson and Pam Grier – challenged an entertainment industry deeply complicit in perpetuating racist stereotypes, and transformed themselves and their audiences in the process.

Featured Shows

American Black Journal

From Detroit Public Television

American Black Journal is an historic television program that has been presenting issues and events from African-American perspectives since 1968. Segments feature topics about the arts and culture and also cover community issues such as politics, race, and religion.

Black Issues Forum

From PBS NC

Each week, Black Issues Forum presents a diverse panel of guests who discuss such topics as politics, social concerns, health, education, justice, entertainment, technology and public policy.

Basic Black

From GBH

PUTTING THE SOUL IN PUBLIC MEDIA SINCE 1968: Basic Black was created in during the turmoil of the civil rights movement as a response to the demand for public television programs reflecting the concerns of communities of color.

Black Voices

From WTTW

BLACK VOICES presents trusted analysis and in-depth conversation about issues that matter to the Black community in Chicago hosted by CHICAGO TONIGHT co-anchor Brandis Friedman.

A PBS SPECIAL EVENT

Welcome to the Block Party!

PBS is celebrating Black History Month by throwing a Block Party! Throughout the month of February, stream new and beloved programs celebrating Black excellence. Whether it’s history, music, documentaries, science or genealogy, PBS is your destination. Join the party at pbs.org/blockparty

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Featured Articles

The Meaning and History of Juneteenth Foods

by PBS | June 16, 2023

Stories of Black Chefs, Food Innovators, and Culinary Historians

by PBS | January 22, 2024

Documentaries About Pioneering Black Artists

by PBS | February 14, 2024

Trailblazing Women in Music History You Should Know

by Beatrice Alvarez | March 17, 2023

What to Know About the PBS Short Film Festival

by Madisson Haynes | July 08, 2022

History and Facts About Reparations in the U.S.

by PBS | November 27, 2023

60th anniversary of the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

On August 28, 1963 approximately 250,000 people arrived in Washington, D.C. to support the enactment of civil rights legislation. Explore a selection of documentaries about this landmark event in the Civil Rights Movement.