400 Years of African American History Commission

The 400 Years of African-American History Commission develops and facilitates activities throughout the United States, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of Africans in the English colonies at Point Comfort, Virginia in 1619. We recognize and highlight the resilience and contributions of African Americans from that seminal moment forward, while simultaneously acknowledging the painful impact of slavery, racial discrimination, and racism on our Nation.

The 400 Hour New Episode Monday, May 29, 7pm EST

In this special program, we honor some of the contributions of African American fallen heroes whose stories have gone untold and uncelebrated for far too long. From the Civil War to Desert Storm. Even though they weren’t always recognized as full citizens, people of color have fought and died for this country and the freedoms that this democracy promises. Interviews include the descendants and advocates of some of those Fallen Heroes; Evelyn Byrd, great, great, great niece of the only Medal of Honor Recipient from Harford County during the Civil War, Alfred B. Hilton; Michael Stewart, son of Capt. Samuel Stewart, who was killed in Vietnam during the TET Offensive; and Ret. Army Col. Edna Cummings, advocate for the 6888, better known as the Six Triple Eight, the all black female unit who served in WWII and the three women who lost their lives in Normandy.
Click here to watch the live premiere!
Check out other episodes of the 400 Hour here.

Black Coal Miners of Appalachia

Black Coal Miners of Appalachia is a special presentation of The 400 Hour that will look at the history of African Americans who worked the coal mines of Appalachia and will feature former coal miners diagnosed with coal workers’ pneumoconiosis commonly known as “black lung disease,” or progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), a late-stage chronic form of CWP. Experts on the program include Dr. David Blackley, an epidemiologist with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and Dr. William Turner, author of The Harlan Renaissance: Stories of Black Life in Appalachian Coal Towns. It also includes an interview with Howard Berkes, a former NPR reporter and co-producer of the PBS Frontline documentary Coal’s Deadly Dust. Click to watch!

National Returning Citizens Conference

Join the 400 Years of African American History Commission, The Faith and Justice Advisory Committee on April 28th at the Potter’s House of Fort Worth for the third annual National Returning Citizens Conference. A day of engaging discussions, a powerful keynote address, and plenary sessions addressing life after incarceration, this year’s conference is hosted by the Texas Offenders Reentry Initiative (TORI).

From Non-violence to No Violence

This short documentary film is about the Pen or Pencil program in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, which 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.

Stronger Than T.E.A.

STRONGER THAN is a special emphasis campaign of the 400 Years of African American History Commission chaired and inspired by the work of Grammy award-winning performing artist, Coré S. Cotton. The campaign will recognize and celebrate the strength, courage, and resilience of women across diverse dimensions, historical and present day; sung and unsung. View the full program by clicking on the image!

Justice Sunday 2023

The theme of 2023’s Justice Sunday: Service Around the Clock is “A Charge to Keep – We Have to Serve This Present Age.” Following the general themes History, Faith, Music, Inspiration, and Call to Action, each hour will feature a diverse and distinguished lineup of Congressional, national, local, faith, service organizations and performing adult and youth leaders versed in public service to continue the tradition of the commemorative MLK weekend. The program streamed here on January 15, 2023. Click the image to see the entire program on demand!

Aberdeen Gardens 158: Built By Us For Us

Aberdeen Gardens 158: Built By Us For Us is a film produced by the Aberdeen Garden Foundation with support of a grant from the 400 Years of African American History Commission. The community was designed and built in 1935 by African Americans as part of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal Settlement. The neighborhood was established to provide African American shipping workers with modern homes in which to live and garden for sustenance. Many felt it would not succeed; however, it still stands today as a monument to resilience.

Films from the 400

Taped on location at the Frederick Douglass National Historic site in Washington DC, “History Matters, Episode 3: STEMulating History and the Future” connects the journey of Freedom seekers who escaped enslavement and used the stars to navigate their path to freedom with the journey of those whose pursuits led them to careers that undoubtedly surpassed the dreams of those early freedom seekers.

Revitalizing America's Historic All-Black Towns

African Americans created dozens of all-Black towns after the Civil War as oases of opportunity and lands of liberty that offered a perceived escape from entrenched southern racism, available land for economic exploitation, and an opportunity to demonstrate Black excellence. This four-part series looks at their rich history and explores ways to protect, preserve, and promote what remains. Moderated by series creator and 400 Commission member Hannibal B. Johnson. Watch them here!

The 400 is committed to highlighting the contributions made by African Americans throughout history and today in medicine, the arts, politics, sports, science, and business. Our films and social media bring out stories you might not know, even about names you might recognize. Follow us @400YAAHC!

Our programs range from virtual celebrations, to conferences, to focus groups and discussions about issues facing the African American community. From Juneteenth to Justice Sunday, we’ve got you covered with fascinating programs that’ll keep you coming back.

A major contribution from the 400 is the ability to recognize leaders in the community, and we do that both through our 400 Distinguished awards and our grant programs with partners like the National Alliance of Faith and Justice and the National Park Service.

Watch the documentary film 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.

Check out “Stories to Tell,” a new project supported by the 400 through the Writing a New History grants!

What’s Happening at the 400?

CHECK OUT OUR NEWSLETTER

SEE THE NEWEST ISSUE