Films from the 400
History Matters Films

History Matters

History Matters is a series of on-going episodes that highlight and depict moments, places and events of historical significance in the African American experience over the last 400 years. It is hosted by Saniya Gay, the National Student Ambassador for the 400 Years of African American History Commission and former inaugural National Ms. Juneteenth. Click here to watch!

I Fear for My Life Police and the Community

Watch the two documentary films about I Fear 4 My Life, a campaign from the 400 Commission that looks at what can be done to remove fear from both community and law enforcement. I Fear 4 My Life is designed to be a resource for people who are looking to learn, to engage diverse voices and perspectives, and to prepare for personal and social action in the on-going change movements to improve policing and criminal justice outcomes, especially for communities of color in the U.S.. Phase 1 was led by Dr. Veronica Watson (Professor and Chair of English, Old Dominion University) and Yohuru Williams (Distinguished University Chair and Professor of History and Founding Director of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St Thomas).

Phase 2 of the I Fear For My Life campaign is led by Dr. Kideste Yusef, Dir. of the Center of Law and Social Justice at Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FL. It is a collaboration with the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice (NABCJ) and includes 11 HBCU’s and the National Alliance of Faith and Justice National Pen or Pencil Program. The students a members of NABCJ and took place in training to conduct discussions between law enforcement and communities to explore the fear held by both groups of each other and to come to an understanding of the need to establish relationships between both groups.

Phase 1

Phase 2

From Non-violence to No Violence Transforming our Schools

How do Pastors reduce violence in Pine Bluff, AR Schools? With their presence. Pastors on Patrol brings pastors of different denominations together under the leadership of Rev. Jesse Turner. They walk the halls of middle and high schools in Pine Bluff and establish relationships with students as well as teachers. Rev. Turner also directs the Pen or Pencil program in Pine Bluff, that was founded by the National Alliance of Faith and Justice. Pen stands for Penitentiary and Pencil stands for Education. The Pen or Pencil program is a mentoring program that teaches young people about their history, which in turn empowers them to realize their worth and ultimately reduces violence amongst each other and emphasizes the importance of their education. View the full film here.

Nurses A History of Caring

The coronavirus proved to be one of the deadliest pandemics in history. It also proved to bring out the best of those working on the front line. In hospitals around the world, the unheralded profession of nursing was lifted up and in honor of National Nurses Day, the 400 Years of African American History Commission salutes these unsung heroes. View the full film here.

Elevating the Black Wall Street Mindset: A 2020 Vision of Black Economic Empowerment (2021)

Writing a New History in Black, White, and In Color (2021)

STEMulating Freedom and the Future (2022)

History Matters Episode 1: Fort Monroe (2021)

History Matters Episode 2: Nicodemus KS (2021)

History Matters, Episode 3: STEMulating History and the Future (2022)