Overview
This collection includes resources for teaching US Black History and Global Black History.
We recommend the US Black History resources for Civics, Government, Social Studies, and U.S. History classes.
The Global Black History resources are great for Geography, Regional History, Social Studies, and World History Classes.
All of these resources may also work well in classes across the curriculum related to the films’ subject matter. Educators may also want to consider the additional resources for teaching with these films available from the Journeys in Film Resource Library.
New Resources added November 2025! To get notifications about updates to this collection and other new resources, sign up for our newsletter.
Lessons

Uncovering and Amplifying Untold Stories | March 10, 2026
Explore the critical role of storytelling, archival research, and cultural preservation in shaping historical understanding and community identity with an emphasis on how this process can build bridges and civic understanding in the Uncovering and Amplifying Untold Stories webinar. This workshop takes place Mar 10, 2026, 7-9 pm ET / 4–6 pm PT. Registration is currently open.
In the Uncovering and Amplifying Untold Stories webinar, Acts of Reparation> filmmakers Selina Lewis Davidson and Macky Alston will join live to share their experience with archival research and working with the LOC and other archival tools. They will speak to how uncovering history can foster healing, truth-telling, and community restoration. Learn more about this workshop.
Event Date: Mar 10, 2026, 7-9 pm ET / 4–6 pm PT
Location: Online
Cost: Free
If you have any questions or would like assistance with registration, please email Hershawna Frison: hershawna@journeysinfilm.org.
Chevalier
Disney’s Chevalier is inspired by the incredible true story of Black French classical composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. The illegitimate son of an African slave and a French plantation owner, Bologne (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) rises to improbable heights in French society as a celebrated violinist-composer and fencer, complete with a star-crossed love affair and a falling out with Marie Antoinette (Lucy Boynton) and her court.
Teach about historic Black French composer Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint Georges, plus Black History and the French Revolution. For French History, European History and World History Classes. For Grades 11-12.
Hidden Figures
Grounded in the empowerment of women in historical and contemporary STEM leadership, the Hidden Figures curriculum guide highlights the determination of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson, three Black women known as “human computers” who were employed by NASA in Langley, Virginia. These women transcended the discriminatory biases of colleagues and community members to achieve their goals and become leaders in the fields of mathematics and engineering.
Hidden Figures Discussion Guide This guide includes history sections on the Jim Crow South, the Civil Rights Movement in the 50s and 60s, the realities facing women in this era, the Cold War and the Space Race, plus non-history sections and additional resources. For Grades 5-12.
Segregation and Civil Rights Lesson This lesson includes 2 handouts and extension activities using short videos available on Youtube, including an activity that connects this historical event to the more recent Dakota Pipeline Protests. Appropriate for US History Classes, especially for teaching about segregation and the Civil Rights Movement. For Grades 7-12.
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Just Mercy
Just Mercy follows Harvard Law School graduate Bryan Stevenson’s move to Alabama where he recognizes an urgent need to provide free legal assistance to minorities who have been unfairly sentenced. It is a story that uplifts marginalized voices who are typically unheard, unacknowledged, or deemed undeserving of mercy in the criminal justice system. This inspiring film explores themes of empathy, equity, hope, and resilience.
Legal History / Civil Rights Lesson This lesson is about the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments and Legal History related to the Civil Rights. Includes handouts on constitutional rights and legal case briefs. Appropriate for History and Government classes. For Grades 9-12
Reconstruction and Post-Reconstruction Lesson This lesson includes activities for using primary sources in the classroom, specifically political cartoons. Features handouts and an activity using an NPR podcast. Appropriate for US History Classes, especially for teaching about Reconstruction and the period following Reconstruction. Ideal for Grades 11-12, but may work for some Grade 9-10 classes.
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Queen of Katwe
Queen of Katwe is based on the colorful, true story of a young girl selling corn on the streets of rural Uganda. Her world rapidly changes when she is introduced to the game of chess, and, as a result of the support she receives from her family and community, is instilled with the confidence and determination she needs to pursue her dream of becoming an international chess champion. The film, directed by Mira Nair, stars Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo (Selma), Oscar winner and Tony Award nominee Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave), and newcomer Madina Nalwanga.
Teach about the true story of Ugandan child chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi, her life in a slum of Kampala, and her rise as an international chess star.
Resisterhood
Resisterhood is an award-winning, feature-length documentary that follows six diverse Americans as they fight for social justice on the streets and in the halls of power. Over the course of two years, we watch these inspiring everyday people work to protect our rights and inspire others to join this peaceful and historic movement.
Resisterhood includes the story of Margaret Morrison, who first marched from Selma to Montgomery in 1965, alongside John Lewis and Martin Luther King, Jr. Now aged 82, Margaret has no plans of slowing down. In many ways, Margaret’s story is a story of legacy and a reminder of the ongoing work that is required for equity and social justice. Margaret’s experience is both inspirational and aspirational, offering many entry points for learning and growth.
The Resisterhood Leaning Guide section on Margaret Morrison explores the driving question: What does it mean to sustain a lifelong commitment to social justice?
Searching for Amani
Set in a Kenyan conservancy facing extreme drought, Searching for Amani follows a 13-year-old’s pursuit of truth as he uncovers the invisible forces of climate change threatening his home and future. What begins as a young aspiring journalist’s search for answers to his father’s death becomes a powerful coming-of-age story.
The Kenya Historical Context Handout is an asset to classes on Kenya, Kenyan history, and contemporary climate conflicts in Kenya.
Subject: Geography, History, Social Studies, World History
Lesson Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Printable Map of Kenya; Kenya Condensed Timeline (1885-Present)
Summer of Soul
In Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised), Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson presents a powerful and transporting documentary — part music film, part historical record created around an epic event that celebrated Black history, culture and fashion. Over the course of 6 weeks in the summer of 1969, just 100 miles south of Woodstock, The Harlem Cultural Festival was filmed in Mount Morris Park (now Marcus Garvey Park). The footage was largely forgotten–until now. Summer of Soul shines a light on the importance of history to our spiritual well-being.
Civil Rights Lesson This lesson focuses on the year 1969 within the broader context of the Civil Rights Movement, the Civil Rights Act, and the Voting Rights Act. Includes a handout (and corresponding answer key) focused on major events in African-American History. This lesson was the #1 downloaded partner resource on Share My Lesson in 2022. For Grades 7-12.
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
In The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, young William Kamkwamba must leave school and abandon his formal education because his family can no longer pay the tuition. As the drought and resulting famine in Malawi continue, his family, like others, comes close to starvation. This true story shows how Williams’s resourcefulness provided a solution for his family and eventually for his village: a wind turbine to bring water to the fields.
Teach about the real life story of William Kamkwamba, the Malawian schoolboy who used ingenuity and engineering to save his village from drought, and the country of Malawi. For African History and World History Classes. For Grades 7-12 or adaptable to Grades 5 and 6.
The Tuskegee Airmen: Return to Ramitelli
The Tuskegee Airmen: Return to Ramitelli tells the inspiring story of America’s first Black military pilots and their journey back to the Italian airfield where they made history. During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen overcame racism and doubt to become one of the most respected fighter groups of the war, known as the “Red Tails” for the distinctive paint on their P-51 Mustang aircraft. From Ramitelli Airfield, they flew 179 bomber escort missions, protecting American bombers with unmatched skill and discipline.
The Discussion Guide for The Tuskegee Airmen: Return to Ramitelli presents a great way to teach with primary sources about Black History, Civil Rights, History, Social Studies, US History, and World History.
Group Discussion Facilitation Guidelines
These tips can help you create safe space for classroom engagement on the themes and subjects of these films.
Sustainable Development Goals
Journeys in Film supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Learn more about teaching with UN SDGs. This curriculum guide connects to the following SDGs.Join Our Community
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