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Lyndon B. Johnson delivered this commencement address to Howard University graduating students in 1965. Johnson recognizes the plight of African Americans and describes the kind of civil rights progress he would like to see as president.

Deborah Walker recalls that, growing up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama, fear and rage lived side by side. She credits her lifelong fight for equity to her guardian angels.

Doreen Rappaport tells the story of a young Suzie King Taylor and her brother who attended a secret school for black children in Georgia in the mid-1800s. Later on, Taylor would become the first black woman to teach openly in a freedmen's school.

This story speaks of the importance of giving. When hard times fall on his land, Buddha reaches out to the wealthy, asking them to help feed the poor. The rich people grumble and refuse until a young, well-to-do girl steps forward and offers to take her bowl from house-to-house to be filled for those less fortunate than herself. Supriya succeeds and many in the land fill her bowl and their own to give to the poor.

In 1942, “For My People” won the Yale Series of Younger Poets award, and Margaret Walker became one of the youngest black writers to have published poetry in the 20th century. Her poem makes tangible the African American struggle, yet also brings to the forefront a hope for all people to “rise and take control” during a dark period in American history.

In this video, Seema meets with her employer, Ms. Tate, who is happy to tell Seema about a promotion. However, Ms. Tate says that to be considered for the position, Seema must stop wearing her hijab. Seema refuses, saying her religion is important to her and that she can do the job without showing her hair.

Sixteen-year-old Brandon Garcia talks about his difficult journey from Guatemala to the United States and some of the challenges he’s faced since immigrating to the States.

Eighteen-year-old Sandra exemplifies a strong sense of self, as she talks to her peers about why she doesn’t conform to societal gender norms.