Virtual Programs
Featured Records
Educator Resources
Rights and Justice Fund
Shop

Throughout nearly 250 years of our democracy’s evolution, the journey for African Americans to be equally represented by our founding documents is long, turbulent and continues today. This history can be seen through records at the National Archives.

Join the National Archives Foundation as we explore our nation’s past and remember the important role that African Americans have played in shaping our shared story. 

Throughout the year, the National Archives and National Archives Foundation will celebrate black history through online programming and virtual events. 

Virtual Programs

A Recollection of Jackie Robinson

In this program, we’ll celebrate Jackie Robinson by taking a closer look at the Hall of Fame infielder and civil rights pioneer. We’ll examine the reasons why Branch Rickey chose Robinson to break the color barrier, the bigotry that Robinson faced, and the successes he achieved both on the field and in his post-playing career as a civil rights advocate.

Watch

An Evening with Representative James E. Clyburn

Join National Archives Foundation Chair and President Jim Blanchard for a conversation with House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn about his experiences growing up in the South, his work to advance civil rights and his decades-long career in Congress.

Watch

Destroying Segregation: The Personal Mission of Civil Rights Attorney Fred Gray

Hear rare first-person accounts from Fred Gray about how the civil rights movement gained momentum through bus boycotts in Alabama, how his friend Rosa Parks was ready to sit down for progress, and more.

Watch

Race and reform in America today is incredibly complex, and, in order to understand where we’re going, we need to understand where we’ve been. Help the National Archives Foundation bring the history of our nation’s fight for equality to light by supporting our new Fund for Rights and Justice. The fund will provide resources for research, public programs, exhibitions and educational materials focused on the stories of African Americans and people of color, as found in the records of the National Archives.

Click Here

Educator Resources

Tools for teaching with documents from the 
National Archives’ holdings

Elementary School Activities

Middle School Activities

High School Activities