Watch these short films from the MY HERO Library. Total viewng time, 22 minutes
Heroes Wanted
Trey Carlisle
Trey celebrates the best of humanity with this original hero anthem!
Still I Rise
By: Gabriel Diamond, Patrick Barnes, Phil Collis
A visual and musical interpretation of American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou’s electrifying poem "Still I Rise." 4 minutes.
Citizenship
By: Anson Schloat and John G. Young
A film about John Lewis on citizenship and character: "To be a good citizen is to obey the rules...the laws. Unless those laws conflict with your conscience.
She is Us: The Story of Judge Songhai Armstead (excerpt)
By: Samara Hutman, C. Lily Ericsson
This is an animated film that chronicles the extraordinary story of social justice warrior Songhai Armstead. 6 minutes
Watch this 60 minute salon hosted by Eva Haller with guests Charlotte Mangin and Sandra Rattley from the UNLADYLIKE2020 Project, 'BlackHERstory'.
Eva Haller Salon (excerpt) - BlackHERstory ft UNLADYLIKE2020
By: Eva Haller
Eva Haller hosts guests from the MY HERO Team joined by Charlotte Mangin and Sandra Rattley from the UNLADYLIKE2020 Project
Click here to see our showcase of films, art and stories about Congressman John Lewis
Congressman John Lewis, Portrait by Robert Shetterly, AWTT.org
By: Xenia Shin
To Celebrate Black History Month, we present stories, films, art and audio from the MY HERO archive highlighting the life of Congressman and Civil Rights Hero John Lewis.
Emerging Filmmakers
The following films by emerging student filmmakers have been recognized at the MY HERO International Film Festival.
Joy Buolamwini
By: Abbigail Mira - Ascot Avenue Elementary School
This film was made by Ascot Avenue Elementary student Abbigail Mira.
Racism Must Stop
Azomali Obisakin | In-Progress
A documentary short exploring the impact of racism on the lives of children and adults.
Marian Anderson
By: Stew Hvidston
This short video on singer Marian Anderson was made by MY HERO Intern Stew Hvidston.
Breonna's Garden AR
Lady Phoenix & Sutu
Breonna’s Garden is an Augmented Reality experience being created in collaboration with Ju’Niyah Palmer, Breonna Taylor’s little sister.
Dorothy Cotton
By: Dylan Winiger
Dorothy Cotton was an American civil rights activist,
Fannie Lou Hamer - A Civil Rights Unsung Hero
By: Elia Grace Defore
This documentary is about the unsung hero Fannie Lou Hamer who helped African Americans receive their right to vote.
Bombingham
Produced by:Gabrielle Gorman
An expressionistic account of a devastating historical event by emerging filmmaker Gabrielle Gorman.
My Hero - Maya Angelou
By: Sakura Forney
Maya Angelou's life and how she changed her community's perspective on racism and sexism.
Heroes celebrated at the recent MY HERO Film Festivals
Her Voice
By: Carletta S. Hurt, Sunnye C. Durham
PASSWORD: Education1961, Under a tight deadline, journalism student Gwendolyn struggles to choose a historical figure as the focus of a high school homework assignment.
Simone Biles Rising
By: Katie Walsh
Witness unprecedented access to the most powerful comeback in sports, in Simone Biles Rising. Journey into the world of Simone as she grapples with vulnerability and self-doubt, redefining what it means to be a champion on her own terms.
60 Sec Docs with Jahkil Jackson
By: 60 Sec docs
Jahkil Jackson from Chicago is the founder of Project I Am, an organization raising awareness about homelessness.
Tige Charity and KITS
By: Abigail Richardson
Tige Charity, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and who now resides in Los Angeles, is the founder of Kids in the Spotlight, Inc. (KITS).
The Equal Justice Initiative
Bryan Stevenson
By: Arthur (Trey) Carlisle
Bryan Stevenson has been recognized across the globe for the work that he has done to address poverty and racial inequality.
The Equal Justice Initiative
Gabriel Diamond
Bryan Stevenson and Equal Justice Initiative litigate cases for the unjustly imprisoned and work to reform the justice system.
Margot Lee Shetterly - Shining a Light on Hidden Figures
Katherine Johnson has become a household name thanks to writer and researcher Margot Lee Shetterly. Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were African American mathematicians, at that time called “human computers,” who worked for NASA during the space race.
Margot Lee Shetterly: Shining a Light on Hidden Figures
By: Shannon Luders-Manuel
Margot Lee Shetterly is the author of "Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race."
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
By: Margot Lee Shetterly
Our Curated Showcases
Click on the following thumbnails for curated stories, art and films on Civil Rights Heroes and World Leaders; Heroes in Art, Music & Literature; Sports Heroes; and Science Heroes, as we celebrate Black History Month.
Black History Month | Civil Rights and World Leaders
By: MY HERO Staff
MY HERO Celebrates Black History Month. Be Inspired by African American Civil Rights Heroes and World Leaders Barack Obama, Ralph Bunche, Michelle Obama.
Black History Month | Heroes in Music, Art, and Literature
By: MY HERO Staff
MY HERO Celebrates Black History Month. Be inspired by African American Heroes in Music, Art, and Literature: Langston Hughes, Toni Morrison, Maya Angelou, Dizzy Gillepsie, Louis Armstrong, more.
Black History Month | Heroes in Sports
By: MY HERO Staff
MY HERO Celebrates Black History Month. Be inspired by African American Heroes in Sports who broke personal and professional barriers.
Black History Month | Heroes in the Sciences
By: MY HERO Staff
MY HERO Celebrates Black History with this feature on Heroes in the Sciences.
Lean more about LeVar Burton's 'Reading Rainbow' series
'Butterfly in the Sky': Winner of the MY HERO Media Award 2022
By: Naomi Gledhill
Butterfly in the Sky [excerpt]
Brett Whitcomb & Bradford Allen
Tells the story of the beloved series "Reading Rainbow," its iconic host LeVar Burton, and the challenges its creators faced in cultivating a love of reading
Amanda Gorman, America's First Youth Poet Laureate
Amanda Gorman: The Poet Who Healed a Nation
By: Shannon Luders-Manuel
Amanda Gorman, America's first Youth Poet Laureate, recited the original poem "The Hill We Climb" at the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
The Hill We Climb by Poet Hero Amanda Gorman
"For there was always light. If only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it." Audio of The Hill We Climb
The historian Carter Woodson is known as the "Father of Black History Month."
In 1926, he established Negro History Week. He chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Half a century later, this observance evolved into Black History Month, which we celebrate during the entire month of February.
Carter G. Woodson
By: Raven from Colorado
Carter Woodson, "Father of Black History Month," founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
Stories from The Christian Science Monitor
Malcolm X sought a solution to racism. His words ring powerfully today.
By: Ken Makin
Sept. 05, 2025 - A new book investigates Malcolm X's uncompromising words and their relevance today. [CSM Story]
‘The city becomes a canvas for storytelling.’ How Baltimore is honoring Freddie Gray.
By: Ira Porter
July 17, 2025 - To honor Freddie Gray, Baltimore artists took to canvas and sculpture this summer to commemorate his life and memory. [CSM Story]
Tamir Rice was killed by police in 2014. His mother is determined to help other children.
By: Ken Makin
Sept. 23, 2025 - Tamir Rice was killed at age 12 by a Cleveland police officer. His mother’s passion and solace are in helping children. [CSM Story]
Wynton Marsalis and Bryan Stevenson fuse jazz, protest, and justice on Juneteenth album
By: Ryan Doan-Nguyen and Aaron Morrison
June 18, 2024 - Civil rights lawyer and jazz pianist Bryan Stevenson and Pulitzer-winning jazz artist Wynton Marsalis collaborated on a new live performance album of historic jazz records to honor Juneteenth and Black history. [CSM Story]
‘That’s the warrior spirit.’ Why Valerie Castile is determined to honor her son.
By: Ken Makin
July 07, 2025 - Nine years ago, Valerie Castile lost her son, Philando, at a traffic stop gone horribly wrong. She is determined that his life will not be forgotten. [CSM Story]
Stories of black heroes in history across disciplines
Dr. Joy Buolamwini: Digital Activist
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Dr. Joy Buolamwini, the computer scientist fighting against algorithmic bias.
Tige Charity and KITS
By: Abigail Richardson
Tige Charity, originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and who now resides in Los Angeles, is the founder of Kids in the Spotlight, Inc. (KITS).
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter: Empowering Change Through BeyGood Charity
By: Abigail Richardson
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, born September 4, 1981, is an American singer, songwriter, philanthropist and businesswoman.
Charlayne Hunter-Gault: Activist and Journalist
By: Abigail Richardson
Charlayne Hunter-Gault is a pioneering journalist and civil rights activist whose life and career have been marked by breaking barriers and championing equality.
Dr. Jacques Sebisaho and Amani Global Works
By: Abigail Richardson
Demita Vega de Lille: Olympic Windsurfer
By: Naomi Gledhill
Read about Demita Vega de Lille, an Olympic windsurfer and hero featured in one of the finalist films at the MY HERO Film Festival 2024.
Gregory L. Robinson: NASA Engineer
By: Naomi Gledhill
Gregory L. Robinson is an American Engineer who is most known for his work on the James Webb Space Telescope Program at NASA.
William Kamkwamba
By: Nathan P. from Ohio
William Kamkwamba
Constance Baker Motley
By: Jane Wallace
Constance Baker Motley was one of America's most effective, least known Civil Rights revolutionaries.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
By: Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt
Martin Luther King, Jr.
inspired Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt.
Katherine Johnson
By: Kyra from Ankara, Turkey
Her story was hidden for decades: Katherine Johnson plotted multiple flight courses for NASA, including the Apollo 11 spacecraft, the first spaceship to reach the moon.
The Word Revolutionist: James Baldwin
By: Sebastian Ruiz
James Baldwin was a highly influential author of the Harlem Renaissance.
Tommie Smith, John Carlos, Peter Norman
By: Jesse Zaragoza
Tommie Smith, John Carlos, and Peter Norman, who were part of the 1968 Olympic team in track and field, raised their fists during the US National Anthem in support of civil rights.
Stories for Younger Readers, by Younger Readers
Viola Desmond
By: Julia Sawyshyn
Viola Desmond was a black Canadian who refused to give up her seat in the whites' only section of a movie theater, which helped spark the civil rights movement in Canada.
Black History Month Films reflecting on the fight for civil rights
The March for Freedom 1963
Davon Johnson
Nonviolent civil disobedience based on Christian beliefs started long before the 1963 peaceful protest, March for Freedom on Washington D.C.
PASSWORD: 2march4freedom1963
Citizenship
Produced by:Anson Schloat and John G. Young
A film about John Lewis on citizenship and character: "To be a good citizen is to obey the rules...the laws. Unless those laws conflict with your conscience.
The March on Washington D.C. 1963
Devon Johnson
Two very talented Jazz musicians perform a tribute to MLK Jr. and the leadership of the March on Washington D.C. in 1963. The film features Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Theresa.
William D Matthews: A Cure for Rebellion
Taegan Loy and Trent Powell
This documentary tells the story of William D. Matthews, the first African American officer in the Civil War, who assisted slaves escaping through the Underground Railroad, and heroically led troops to victory.
Mission: "Infoplease is a reference and learning site, combining the contents of an encyclopedia, a dictionary, an atlas and several almanacs loaded with statistics, facts, and historical records. The content is written and edited by professional editors, and the site has received numerous awards and accolades since launch. Parents, teachers and librarians turn to Infoplease for information on an array of topics, including current events, pop culture, science, government and history. "
From USA Today: celebrate Black History Month by watching these movies that depict the lives of African-American heroes and the ongoing quest for greater human decency.
Mission: "(1) To preserve, present, and interpret African American history and to engage a broad and diverse audience through these activities. (2) To promote an understanding among various groups that comprise the St. Petersburg community to enhance our ability as a society to respect, value diversity, and foster equal rights and social justice."
The National Museum of African American History and Culture opened Sept. 24, 2016, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Occupying a prominent 5-acre location next to the Washington Monument, the nearly 400,000-square-foot museum is the nation’s largest and most comprehensive cultural destination devoted exclusively to exploring, documenting and showcasing the African American story and its impact on American and world history.
A joint tribute from The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.
America’s Largest Classroom As America’s largest classroom, PBS is available to all of America’s children – including those who can’t attend preschool – and offers educational media that help prepare children for success in school. PBS is committed to bringing the power of media into the classroom - helping educators to engage students in new and different ways.
