The Black Church

Culture Series

An intimate four-hour series from Henry Louis Gates, Jr., The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song will explore 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.

2m 20s / TV-PG

Prathia Hall’s Inspires MLK’s “I Have A Dream"

1m 14s

Martin Luther King Jr. met Prathia Hall in a mass meeting where she discussed her vision for the world by repeating the phrase “I have a dream.” Dr. King adapted her prayer to one of the famous speeches in American history.

Jennifer Hudson On the Power of Church

38s

Jennifer Hudson’s first memory of church was on Easter Sunday, where videos of Jesus’ crucifixion brought her to tears. This experience was the moment she finally understood the power of the Church.

The Black Church Bridges the Divide Through Music

1m 27s

In 1997, Kirk Franklin introduced gospel music to the Billboard charts with his song “Stomp.” However, some traditional church leaders accused him of bringing “devil music” into the Church.

Jesse Jackson and a New Generation of Black Leaders

2m 9s

Jesse Jackson challenged Ronald Reagan in his political campaign, embracing the role of a preacher politician. Although his campaign didn’t succeed, Jackson paved the way for a new generation of leaders in the Church and outside of it.

Entertainment’s Place in the Church

1m 46s

In the late 1960s, Pentecostal choirs emerged to bring youthful energy back to the Church. The Edwin Hawkins Singers were one of the groups that rose to stardom with their single “Oh, Happy Day.”

Trailer

30s

In this intimate four-hour series from executive producer, host, and writer Henry Louis Gates, Jr., we trace how this came to be in the 400 year-old story of the Black church in America, all the way down to its bedrock role as the site of African American survival and endurance, grace and resilience, thriving and testifying, freedom and independence, solidarity and speaking truth to power.

Gospel Trailer

30s

From its early origins to today’s Black Lives Matter movement, The Black Church explores the church’s powerful influence as the spiritual, cultural, and political epicenter of the African American community. Hear from iconic musicians such as John Legend, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams on the powerful role of gospel music within the Black church.

Extended Trailer

3m 19s

The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song will explore 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.

Thurman’s Non-Violent Approach Inspired MLK’s Movement

1m 36s

In 1949, Thurman published “Jesus and the Disinherited,'' promoting the discipline of non-violence. Inspired by his ideas, Martin Luther King Jr. urges his followers to follow his word.

The Popularity of Religious Race Records

1m 5s

In the early days of the phonograph, jazz and blues recordings created by Black artists were marketed as Race Records. The most popular amongst the African American community were religious sermons.

The Man with the Million Dollar Voice

1m

In 1954, Reverend Franklin recorded his popular sermon “The Eagle Stirreth Her Nest” in New Bethel Baptist Church, becoming one of the first church leaders to take advantage of the medium.

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