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4 Ways Sidney Poitier was a trailblazer on and off the screen
One of his films helped inspire the independence movement for his native Bahamas. -
The time Tony Bennett "...saw things no human being should ever have to see."
Before he was a lover he was a fighter who spent time serving in World War II. -
For the first time, the story of Joni Mitchell’s early career has a soundtrack
Joni Mitchell has kept an important part of her early musical life story hidden – until now. -
FULL EPISODE How It Feels To Be Free
The inspiring story of six trailblazing Black women entertainers. -
WATCH VIDEO Halle Berry on how seeing Diahann Caroll on TV changed her
Carroll's TV show “rearranged her” and made her realize that she “had value.” -
5 interesting facts about Jean-Michel Basquiat
The Brooklyn-born artist Jean-Michel Basquiat remains one the most enigmatic and beloved figures of the '70s and '80s. -
8 emerging BIPOC artists you should know
Watch In the Making, our new digital video series following the lives and journeys of emerging BIPOC artists. -
These four masters found success and fame later in life
Here are four women who earned a place among America’s cultural icons well into adulthood. -
FULL EPISODE How Charlie "YardBird" Parker got his nickname
The story involves an actual bird that suffered an unfortunate fate. -
American Masters films that are streaming right now
This month, we are releasing a selection of films for you to stream and enjoy. -
WATCH A PREVIEW Stream hundreds of never-before-seen interviews from our 34-year archive
The archive includes over 1,000 hours of footage from the movers and shakers of American culture. -
Twyla Moves
Twyla Moves will provide a first-hand glimpse into the legendary choreographer’s storied career and famously rigorous creative process. -
How Nina Simone reinvented herself after a rejection from classical music conservatory
She was crushed after a rejection from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. -
Essay: The image makers are always consequential
Princeton professor and writer Imani Perry reflects on the power of representation in popular culture. -
5 interesting facts about Judy Garland
Garland’s life was marred by tragedy, from beginning to end. -
How Sequoyah, who did not read or write, created a written language for the Cherokee Nation from scratch
Sequoyah recognized the value of the European settlers’ “talking leaves,” and set out to create a written language for the Cherokee. -
5 ways Lena Horne revolutionized the entertainment industry
She fought discrimination and helped improve standards of representation for Black performers. -
Neil Young's archive reveals much about an artist we thought we knew well.
Neil Young saved just about everything, and now much of it is available via the Neil Young Archives. -
Bing Crosby and Bob Hope's "Road Pictures"
The movies were revolutionary in the filmmaking world. -
The time Louis Armstrong reigned as King of the Zulus at a segregated Mardi Gras parade
"There’s a thing I’ve dreamed of all my life," Armstrong told Time magazine in 1949.
Watch the trailer for Flannery O'Connor