What to Watch on Netflix to Celebrate Black Achievement

Dr. Martin Luthor King Jr. once said, “a riot is the language of the unheard.” As we all know 2020 was an amazing year for Black voices to be heard and shared. Below are just some of those stories and voices that you may have missed on Netflix. Here’s our list of What to Watch on Netflix to Celebrate Black Achievement.

Films

Self Made (2020)

Based on the biography On Her Own Ground by A’Lelia Bundles, Self Made is a miniseries following the life of Madam C.J. Walker. Walker, played by Octavia Spencer, was the first American woman to become a self-made millionaire by marketing and selling hair products for Black women. She devoted the rest of her time to philanthropy and activism to help the Black community.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)

Set in 1927 Chicago, this drama follows influential blues singer, Ma Rainy, as she tries to complete a frustrating recording session with her band. This was Chadwick Boseman’s final movie to release after he passed away during post-production in 2020. Boseman plays the bands overconfident trumpet player named Levee Green.

Becoming (2020)

This documentary follows the former First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, travel across the country for her 34-city book tour. Becoming features the meaningful connections she made while on tour, talk show appearances, and the other work she had to do while she was the First Lady. Becoming was nominated for 4 Emmy Awards in 2020 and is also nominated for the upcoming 2021 Grammy Awards.

The Black Godfather (2019)

This documentary follows the life of Clarence Avant. He was a mentor to countless of America’s most successful Black men and women in music, film, TV, and politics. The Black Godfather features interviews with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, Jamie Foxx, Kamala Harris, Barack Obama, and many more.

Homecoming (2019)

This critically acclaimed documentary follows Beyoncé during her preparation and performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.  Homecoming has a 98% approval rating on the review website Rotten Tomatoes and it has even been called one of the greatest concert films of all time by several publications. This is a must watch for any Beyoncé fan!

Disclosure (2020)

This inspiring documentary follows leading trans creatives as they describe their first hand experience with Hollywood’s impact on the trans community. Disclosure shows us the effect media has on North American culture regarding gender, sexual preference, race and more. This really isn’t one you want to miss out on! As of February 2021, it holds a 98% approval rating on the Rotten Tomatoes film review website.

13th (2016)

This documentary analyzes the criminalization of African Americans and the faulty United States Prison System. The title refers to the 13th Amendment which abolished slavery but still allowed servitude as an acceptable punishment for conviction of a crime. 13th was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary at the 89th Academy Awards and won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards.

Shows

Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History (2019)

In this fun and lighthearted series, Kevin Hart highlights Black history in his own way. Both comedic and educational, Kevin Hart’s Guide to Black History focuses on the unsung heroes of the past, instead of the common figures we learn about in school.

Dear White People (2017-2021)

Based on the 2014 film of the same name, Dear White People follows a group of Black college students attending a mostly White Ivy League School and focuses on race relations during the modern era. This comedy-drama was just renewed for its fourth and final season, set to release in 2021.