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The Midwest

is an epicenter in the fight for racial justice. It has been for centuries. It is one of American history’s most amazing, important, yet overlooked stories — until now.

Welcome
THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MIDWEST: A 500 Year Fight for Freedom is being developed by leading scholars of the African American Midwest, Midwest public television broadcasters, filmmakers, and production partners.
The Latest
BLACK PIONEERS & BUFFALO SOLDIERS
The story of Nicodemus, Kansas, America’s most famous and last-surviving African American frontier farming community.
THE 1539 PROJECT: WHY BLACK MIDWEST HISTORY MATTERS
Producers Christy Clark-Pujara, Erik McDuffie, Ashley Howard on the overlooked history of slavery in the Midwest
VIOLENCE AGAINST BLACK TRANS/GNC IN THE MIDWEST
41 African American Trans+ were murdered between 1996-2022 in the Midwest
Play Video about black union soldiers lined up to pose for photo

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN MIDWEST: A 500 Year Fight for Freedom
Documentary Film in development

explore the history
THE EARLY BLACK MIDWEST

Slavery, Freedom, Inequality, & Resistance

MIGRATIONS

Pioneers to the Great Migration

RACISM

Racial Violence & Midwest Jim Crow

CULTURE

Music, Sports, Literature

RACIAL JUSTICE & CIVIL RIGHTS

The Midwest Freedom Movement

POWER

Politics, Workers, Business, Media

Resources

Explore the history of the Midwest through interactive maps​

Listen to our latest Podcast featuring The story of John P. Parker​

View our interviews with scholars, artists and education experts

View our films including the Ida B. Wells: A Chicago Stories Special

Keep in touch with us…

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