NEW YORK — The Juneteenth national holiday marks the joyful time when enslaved people in Texas, who had no idea slavery had ended, received word that they were free. It is a time to remember Black people’s continual fight for freedom and civil rights in the United States. So far in 2024, there have been several new documentaries and history-based dramas about Black people involved in civil rights and similar justice.
One of these history-based dramas is Netflix’s “Shirley,” a biopic starring Regina King as the barrier-breaking politician Shirley Chisholm. King, who is also a producer of “Shirley,” commented in the movie’s production notes that she hopes the late Chisholm would have approved of the movie: “I hope that she would embrace it. I hope that she would understand that the reason for doing it was to honor her and also just to hopefully teach people who did not realize that there was this little Bajan, Brooklyn-born woman who inspired so many to move beyond their comfort zones, to move beyond what life presents.”
King added, “So often we only do things because we’ve seen someone else do it. That’s what lets us know that it’s possible, as opposed to creating our own possibilities. Shirley was a maverick in that space. So, hopefully she would understand that that’s the reason for telling this story.”
“Power of the Dream” is a Prime Video documentary that gives an inside look at the political activism of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, a majority-Black team that puts its clout behind politicians who support Black Lives Matter and other civil rights causes. Director Dawn Porter told People this month: “I think there [are] so many meanings to the power of the dream. There’s the actual Atlanta Dream, but then there’s the power of the vision that they had. It was a strong vision, and it was so clear that they could follow it.”
Here’s an alphabetical guide to more of these new documentaries and dramas that celebrate the principles of Juneteenth—not just in June but throughout the year.
“As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial”
This documentary film directed by J.M. Harper features rapper Kemba as he explores how rap lyrics have been used against mostly Black people in the criminal justice system in the United States and abroad. The documentary shows what activists are doing to push back against this discrimination.
Where to watch: Paramount+
This six-episode limited drama series relays the story of Black Panther Party founder Huey Newton (played by André Holland) when he avoided FBI prosecution by living in Cuba from 1974 to 1977. Janine Sherman Barrois (Netflix’s “Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C. J. Walker”) is an executive producer of “The Big Cigar,” whose first two episodes were directed by Don Cheadle.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
“Black Twitter: A People’s History”
This lively three-episode documentary series, directed by former “Insecure” showrunner Prentice Penny, chronicles the history of Black conversations, trends, and movements on the social media network formerly known as Twitter. W. Kamau Bell, Jemele Hill, Kid Fury, and April Reign are some of the pundits who share their thoughts on how Black Twitter played major roles in social justice causes such as Black Lives Matter and #OscarsSoWhite.
Where to watch: Hulu
“Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color”
Idris Elba is the narrator and an executive producer of this four-episode docuseries about underrated military people of color—including the 761st Black Panthers Tank Battalion and the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion—who fought for freedom during World War II. Each episode focuses on a different World War II milestone: Pearl Harbor, D-Day, Dunkirk, and the Battle of the Bulge. The docuseries also shows the historical link between these wartime struggles and post-war civil rights movements.
Where to watch: National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu
This eight-episode drama series (part of the “Genius” anthology series) is a dual biography of Martin Luther King Jr. (played by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (played by Aaron Pierre), from their childhoods to their adulthoods as civil rights icons. Gina Prince-Bythewood is one of the executive producers of “Genius: MLK/X,” which also gives recognition to how MLK’s wife, Coretta Scott King (played by Jayme Lawson), and Malcolm X’s wife, Betty Shabazz (played by Weruche Opia), played important roles in the civil rights movement.
Where to watch: National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu
Robin Roberts is the narrator and an executive producer of this documentary film (directed by Mandla Dube), which relays the story of the predominately Black military unit known as the Harlem Hellfighters, whose brave actions made a difference in World War I. The Harlem Hellfighters were members of the 15th National Guard, which would become a part of the famous 369th Infantry, which is considered one of World War I’s best military regiments.
Where to watch: History Channel
This documentary film directed by Andscape writer/content creator Jesse Washington takes a deep-dive look at the relationships between some rappers and U.S. presidential politics. The documentary includes interviews with Jeezy (who is also the film’s narrator), Common, YG, Maxine Waters, KRS-One, and Roxanne Shante.
Where to watch: Hulu
“Juneteenth: Celebrating Freedom and Legacy”
This third annual televised special event features Juneteenth-related stories and musical performances. CNN anchor Victor Blackwell will host the show, which will include John Legend, Patti LaBelle, and Smokey Robinson performing and talking about progress and trailblazers in Black people’s civil rights. Opal Lee, nicknamed the Grandmother of Juneteenth, will also be featured.
Where to watch: CNN, OWN, and Max (as of June 19)
This documentary film gives a spotlight to the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream (which consists mostly of Black women) and the team’s commitment to social justice issues, including Black Lives Matter and Say Her Name. The documentary also shows how the Atlanta Dream and allies persevere in these initiatives, despite backlash from Atlanta Dream’s then-co-owner Kelly Loeffler, who was the Republican opponent in Raphael Warnock’s 2020 campaign for the U.S. Senate. Porter, Tracee Ellis Ross, Sue Bird, and Nneka Ogwumike are the producers of this documentary, which includes interviews with several WNBA players and Warnock.
Where to watch: Prime Video (as of June 18)
This documentary film is narrated by Sheryl Lee Ralph and investigates the mystery behind the fatal plane crash of 22-year-old Army 2nd Lt. Frank Moody, a Tuskegee Airmen pilot who died on April 11, 1944, while serving in World War II. His plane was found in Lake Huron, Michigan, and it led to historical archeological revelations.
Where to watch: National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu
Regina King has the starring role in this biopic as Shirley Chisholm, the pioneering politician and activist who made history in 1968 as the first Black woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and in 1972, the first woman to seek the Democratic nomination for president, and the first Black person to seek a major party nomination. “Shirley” was written and directed by John Ridley, who won an adapted screenplay Oscar for the history-based drama “12 Years a Slave.”
Where to watch: Netflix
This documentary film (co-directed by Lisa Cortés and Diego Hurtado de Mendoza) delivers a comprehensive history of pioneering Black pilots/astronauts, scientists, and engineers at NASA. Among those interviewed in the documentary are Guion Bluford, Jessica Watkins, Charles Bolden, Ed Dwight, Victor Glover, Frederick Gregory, Bernard Harris and Leland Melvin.
Where to watch: National Geographic, Disney+, and Hulu
“Triumph: Jesse Owens and the Berlin Olympics”
This documentary film narrated by former “Black Monday” star Cheadle and directed by Andre Gaines shows how Olympic track and field athlete Jesse Owens defied Nazi Germany by winning four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic Games. LeBron James is one of the executive producers of this documentary, which chronicles the racist obstacles that Owens experienced in and outside the United States. People interviewed in the documentary include former Olympic star Carl Lewis and Owen’s daughters, Marlene Owens and Beverly Owens.
Where to watch: History Channel (as of June 19)
