Congressional Black Caucus
In 1955, Charles Diggs Jr. became the first Black person from Michigan elected to the House of Representatives. His election paved the way for more Black politicians to enter an arena that often times represented them by district but never really looked like them in session.
As the numbers grew, Diggs created what would be known as the precursor to the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), the Democratic Select Committee. Diggs realized there was power in numbers and Black leaders were in a prime spot to influence, develop legislature, and support marginalized groups. By 1971, the CBC was formed, and while it was met with resistance by Richard Nixon’s administration, Black leaders held their ground and forced Nixon’s hands in acknowledging their existence.
In this episode of Black History In Two Minutes or So hosted by Henry Louis Gates Jr. — with additional commentary from Hasan Jeffries of Ohio State University — we celebrate a group of Black congressional leaders who continue to be the voice for marginalized groups today.
Black History in Two Minutes (or so) is a 9x nominated and 4x Webby Award winning series.
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Archival Materials Courtesy of:
• Alamy Images
• Associated Press
• Getty Images
Additional Archival Material Courtesy of:
• Congressional Black Caucus
• C-SPAN
• Richard Nixon Foundation
• The Los Angeles Times
• The New York Times
• The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint
• United States Congress
Executive Producers:
• Robert F. Smith
• Henry Louis Gates Jr.
• Dyllan McGee
• Deon Taylor
Senior Producer:
• William Ventura
Series Producers:
• Chinisha Scott
• William Ventura
Executive in Charge of Production:
• Robert L. Yacyshyn
Post Production Supervisor:
• Veronica Leib
Post Production Coordinator:
• Katherine Swiatek
Written By:
• Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
Additional Writing:
• Kevin Burke
• Kelsi Lindus
• Chinisha Scott
• William Ventura
Editors:
• Margaret Metzger
• Anne Yao
Producer:
• Kevin Burke
Archival Producer:
• Megan Graham
Research:
• Zoë Smith
Assistant Editors:
• Patrice Bowman
• Nicholas Mastrangelo
Director of Photography:
• Nikki Bramley
• Nausheen Dadabhoy
• Stephen McCarthy
Graphic Design:
• Anthony Kraus
Special Thanks:
• Daina Ramey Berry
• Sam Hartley
• Elyssa Hess
• Stacey Holman
• Hasan Jeffries
• Peniel Joseph
• Imani Perry
Music By:
• Oovra Music
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