FREE SCREENING "Making Black America" Ep. 2 The Work of The Imagination

900 West Daisy L Gatson Bates Drive,Little Rock AR 72202

08 February, 2023

Description

Philander Smith College and Arkansas PBS present this free screening featuring the second episode of the documentary series, "Making Black America", a four-part series from executive producer, host and writer Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Episode 2: The Work of The Imagination As the color line hardened and Jim Crow laws went into effect, African Americans built a “life behind the veil” to meet their educational, economic, political, and cultural needs. Hour 2 explores the genesis of these organizations and networks, some that paved the way and others that still exist today. We will see the rise of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), the birth of Black Greek letter organizations (BGLO), the flourishing of Black business districts, and the Black women who tore down barriers in banking and beauty. Our host, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., sits with some friends at a Harlem barbershop to discuss the gains of attending an HBCU, the conversation around Black hair, the legacy of Black-owned businesses, the influence of Black art and culture, and the safety African American’s experience within all-Black spaces. This episode highlights the progress Black people made during the early 20th Century, not just the hardships and struggles. Although Black people were thriving, some organizations like the NAACP continued to hold America accountable to basic rights and privileges for all citizens. UNIA, conversely, saw Pan-Africanism as the future of Black progress. Historical figures and events featured in the hour include: The Divine Nine, Maggie Lena Walker, Annie Malone, Madame C.J. Walker, A'Lelia Walker’s The Dark Tower, and the Harlem Drag Balls.