The HistoryMakers is a national 501(c)(3) non profit educational institution founded in
1999, committed to preserving, developing and providing easy access to an internationally
recognized, archival collection of thousands of African American video oral histories.
Designed to promote and celebrate the successes and to document movements, events and
organizations that are important to the African American community and to American society.
The HistoryMakers is sharing its collection through The HistoryMakers Education Institute
and through The HistoryMakers Speakers Bureau, live public programs and its interactive
website (www.thehistorymakers.com). Plans are underway for the establishment of a unique
digital archive that will provide access to more than 30,000 hours of content in a format that
is searchable by image and text. The purpose of this archive is to educate; to show
the breadth and depth of this important American history as told in the first person; to highlight the
accomplishments of individual African Americans across a variety of disciplines; to showcase
those who have played a role in African American-led movements and/or organizations; and
to preserve these video oral histories for years and generations to come, creating a priceless
collection and helping to refashion a more inclusive record of American history.>