The History Channel says that “Black History Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and to remember the important role they played in U.S. history.” A big part of the month is celebrating the movies that show the Black community. Black History Month began as a way to remember important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. Even though it is celebrated in other places, it is in February in the United States and Canada. Black teachers and Black United Students at Kent State University came up with the idea for the first Black History Month in 1969. The first Black History Month event took place at Kent State University from January 2 to February 28, 1970.
Planoly wrote in an article about digital mindfulness, “As our country has become more modern, many of its national holidays have had to take place online.” Most celebrations in today’s world can be seen in some way on the Internet. There are also a lot of TV shows and movies that show these holidays. This makes them even more well-known. “Recognizing the people of color who fought for equality and a better America for all of us is not a slight on you or your heritage. It’s all about making Black people feel better, not making other people feel bad. Also, don’t feel like you’re less of a person if you don’t know everything about history or the current crusades. This is a time for everyone to learn and think “Planoly kept going. Film is a great way to pay attention to and learn about events in history in general. These are the movies that your kids could watch to learn about Black history. This is how Black History Month got started.
Akeelah and the Bee (2006)
The book Akeelah and the Bee is about a girl named Akeelah who is 11 years old and is a great speller. She wants to do well at the National Spelling Bee, but her mother won’t help her. Akeelah comes from a dangerous place, so she will have to overcome many obstacles to reach her goals. The movie doesn’t have any scenes of violence or sex, but it does deal with sad topics like the death of a loved one, family fights, and some sad dialogue.
Dancing in the Light: The Janet Collins Story (2015)
The hit of 2015 Dancing in the Light: The Janet Collins Story is a movie about a ballerina that even very young people can enjoy. This animated movie is based on the true story of Janet Collins, who was the first African-American dancer to perform at the Metropolitan Opera House. It’s a short film in the family genre that parents will like because it teaches kids something, shows them good role models, and gives them a message that is positive and uplifting. And a great movie to watch during Black History Month.
Garrett’s Gift (2007)
Garrett’s Gift is a 20-minute animated movie about a famous African-American businessman named Garrett Morgan. In the short film, kids will find out how Garrett Morgan came up with the idea for the traffic light. The movie teaches and inspires because it shows how a child with a unique point of view who spent most of his day daydreaming came up with a safety measure that is still used today. People like you and your kids made everything that seems normal and that we can’t imagine our lives without. This message will make smart young people feel better about their skills and might encourage them to follow their ideas.
Harriet (2019)
Cynthia Erivo was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in the moving action-drama film Harriet. The movie tells the story of Harriet, a child from a family that is oppressed who is promised freedom but never gets it. So, Harriet decides to run away, a choice that would change the course of history and make her one of the most famous heroes in the United States. There are some violent scenes and racial slurs in this movie, so it’s best for kids over 12 years old. It also talks about slavery, which you should talk to your child about before letting them watch the movie. This is a great chance for them to learn.
Hidden Figures (2016)
The story of Hidden Figures is based on the real-life story of three African-American mathematicians who worked for NASA and helped get John Glenn into space. Black History Month is all about honoring Black people who have done amazing things for our society. This movie is a great choice for everyone because it shows how important Black people have been. It’s interesting, inspiring, and shows the real problems these women faced at work, like being harassed because of their race or gender. Hidden Figures is a great movie for people who like science and want to learn about black history during Black History Month.
Lee Daniels’ The Butler (2013)
Winfrey was also in The Butler, a period drama by Lee Daniels that was based on a true story about the history of African-Americans in the United States. This time, the Civil Rights Movement is shown from the point of view of a butler who worked in the White House for eight presidents. Have you ever thought about how events like the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War changed the life of someone who works in the White House? Now, you have the chance to find out. Parents should know that there are many scenes in which white Southerners commit hate crimes, violent acts, and other horrible things against black protesters. Because of these things, the movie is for kids over 13 years old.
Remember the Titans (2000)
Remember the Titans is a sports drama from the year 2000 that is very moving. The story is about the first African-American coach at a high school with people of different races. After being separate for hundreds of years, students from a Black school and a White school must now learn and play sports together. Remember the Titans is based on real things that happened in Virginia in 1971, like how hard it was to teach the kids to get along and live together.
Selma (2014)
The most well-known person in Black History Month is Martin Luther King Jr. The movie Selma is about how Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. fought for the right of Black people to vote. It is mostly about his march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, which led to President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This important event was brought to life on the big screen by actors like Carmen Ejogo, David Oyelowo, and Oprah Winfrey.
Shaka Zulu: The Citadel (2001)
Shaka Zulu: The Citadel, which is based on the popular TV show Shaka Zulu: The Last Great Warrior, is another great Black history movie for kids. This movie is good for kids who like history and adventure because it tells the true story of Shaka Zulu, the great African warrior who wanted to unite his people and build the world’s largest kingdom. In the movie about Shaka Zulu, the story of how the Zulu Empire rose to power is shown. It tells a lot about the history of African empires and is full of interesting facts.
Soul (2020)
Soul, a movie coming out in 2020 from Pixar Animation Studios, will take you to New York City and show you what life is all about. The movie shows that life is a blessing, even when things don’t go as planned. How do you know you’re alive? To be alive? When he does what he really loves, which is jazz music, the main character of this movie will try to solve this problem for himself. This is the first Pixar movie where the main character, Joe Gardener, is black. The voice of Joe Gardener is done by the great Jamie Foxx. The movie is a family film, an adventure film, and a comedy. It doesn’t have any bad words or violent scenes, but the story is very complicated and may be too much for kids under seven.
The Great Debaters (2007)
In the 2007 historical drama The Great Debaters, Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College, plays a key role. Like other movies, The Great Debaters shows that we can overcome problems with hard work, persistence, and a great leader who inspires us. Melvin goes against the odds by getting his students to start the first-ever debate team and beat Harvard to win the national championship. Because of the horrible racism and violence against Black people in the 1930s, the movie is best for people over the age of 13.
The Princess and the Frog (2009)
The Princess and the Frog, one of the best Disney stories, would make a great Black History movie for kids. The movie is a lot happier than some of the other options on our list, which means that kids as young as six can watch it. Even though Tiana is the first African American Disney princess, the story doesn’t really deal with history. The movie is based on an old story about a princess who kisses a frog and then finds her true love. But the movie is not just about finding true love. The Princess and the Frog is a funny story that all children will enjoy.
