The African Americans - Many Rivers to Cross - with Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Many Rivers to Cross in Detroit

In conjunction with The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross, Detroit Public TV has created a series called The African Americans: Michigan Stories to highlight important moments in local African American history.

The Underground Railroad


Detroit Public TV tells the story of the Underground Railroad in Michigan, an important stop for runaway slaves searching for freedom in Canada.

Thornton and Lucie Blackburn, Runaway Slaves


Detroit Public TV tells the story of runaway slaves Thornton and Lucie Blackburn, who were saved from being returned to slavery by the African American community in Detroit.

The Goodridge Brothers, African American Photographers


Detroit Public TV tells the story of the Goodridge Brothers, early African American entrepreneurs and operators of a highly-successful photography studio.

Connect with Prof. Gates!   

Share Your Story!

Growing up, how did you learn about the accomplishments and struggles of African Americans? How has your understanding or knowledge of African-American history changed over time? We invite you to share your story.
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Many Rivers Posters

A collection of shareable, downloadable posters created for The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross series, featuring quotations by notable African Americans including Harriet Tubman, W.E.B. DuBois, Zora Neale Hurston, Jackie Robinson, and Malcolm X.
PBS Learning Media

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The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross is a film by Kunhardt McGee Productions, THIRTEEN Productions LLC, Inkwell Films, in assocation with Ark Media.