Do you like learning about history? Do you love movies? Do you like learning about African American History? Well, this course combines all those things!

In this six-week course we will explore the history of African American actors and movies in the film industry from 1910 – 2020. Every week a movie will be assigned for homework. The movies were produced in every decade from 1970 – 2010.

This is an informational and interactive course that will expose students to African American actors and filmmakers who paved the way for many actors today. Every class will focus on a specific time period beginning in 1910 all the way to present day. The classes will be taught using PowerPoint presentations that will consist of visuals, fun slides, videos, activities, and discussion questions. 

The following topics will be covered over 6 weeks:
-The origin of movies
-The silent film era
-Stereotypes
-How were black actors portrayed in movies throughout the years
-Why representation matters
-Race films
-Oscar Micheaux
-Hattie McDaniel
-Sidney Poitier
-Cecily Tyson
-Denzel Washington
-Phylicia Rashad
-Whoopi Goldberg
-Will Smith
-Leon Robinson
-Jamie Foxx
-Halle Berry
-Lupita Nyong’o
-Chadwick Boseman

Every student is required to watch five movies for this course, one movie per week starting after the first class. Each movie will be from a different decade and will be discussed in every class. The first portion of class will be informational, and the remaining time will be for discussion of the movie that was assigned. 

All of the movies assigned have a black centered storyline or involve many black actors. Three of the movies involve racial themes or discrimination towards black characters. The movies range from G to PG-13 rating and I highly suggest that the parents watch each movie with their child. All the movies selected are family friendly and age appropriate (the only one with the PG-13 rating is a Marvel film). The first assigned movie is set in the 1930s and is about a black sharecropping family. It is the film that is most steeped in racial injustices out of all five movies.  

The following is a breakdown of what each week will look like:

WEEK 1: The early days of film 
-Stereotypes
-Black film pioneers
-Homework: Watch the movie, Sounder (G) (1972)

WEEK 2: 1970s
-Black actors during this era
-Homework: Watch the movie, Polly (G) (1989)

WEEK 3: 1980s
-Black actors during this era
-Homework: Students will get a choice to watch the movie, Cool Runnings (PG) (1993) OR watch the movie, Cinderella (G) (1997)

WEEK 4: 1990s
-Black actors during this era
-Homework: Students will get a choice to watch the movie, The Princess and the Frog (2009) OR watch the movie, Remember the Titans (PG) (2000) 

WEEK 5: 2000s
-Black actors during this era
-Homework: Watch the movie, Black Panther (PG-13) (2018)

WEEK 6: 2010’s
-Black actors during this era
-Review over all the weeks

NOTE: The movies are either available on Disney +, Amazon (for purchase or rent) or I can provide you with a site for you to watch one or two of the harder movies to find.

The goal of this class is to expose young people to great movies that feature African American stories and introduce them to actors who helped open doors in the industry for future actors. I want the students to understand why representation matters in the film industry and maybe even gain an appreciation for old school films.  

I can’t wait to see you in class!