This series explores the rich heritage of African American music, dance, art and literature from the late 1800s to the 1990s. This first program recalls the careers of Bert Williams and George Walker, vaudeville stars performing in blackface - a minstrel show tradition - during the early 1900s. Then the emergence of New Orleans ragtime jazz and the films of Oscar Micheaux are explored. Director Sam Pollard; narrator Vanessa L. Williams. Series study guide available. Closed captioned.