Charlie Villanueva tells the story of Michael Jordan, who by acclamation, is the greatest basketball player to ever play the game. He played fifteen seasons, winning six championships and five MVP awards. He turned the basketball court into his kingdom and was hailed by all as His Airness. His legacy is marked by one of the most iconic shoe brands — a testament to his soaring and leaping style of play, which was unlike anything the league had seen before.
Brandon Allen tells the story of Jean-Michel Basquiat – a Brooklyn-born painter who was one of the most acclaimed contemporary artists of his generation. His graffiti-inspired style was evidence of his intelligence and a testament to poetic justice. Despite his lack of formal training, his art contained immense depth. His complex painting style, teeming with bursts of colorful imagery and controversial writings, entranced the New York art scene.
The lovely Lexi Taciak joins us in this episode of History Matters. She discusses Frederick Douglass who escaped from slavery and became a leader of the abolitionist movement. His writings are highly acclaimed worldwide. Lexi tells us about his life, his achievements, and his legacy today.
Douglass wrote three autobiographies in throughout his life: Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Bondage and My Freedom, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, where he details his experiences as a slave and his life thereafter.
Joshua Miller, the CEO of C&I Studios, tells the life of Shawn Carter – an American rapper turned entrepreneur who single-handledly created a new culture through his music and business pursuits.
Katy Seymour, photographer and video editor at C&I Studios, tells the story of Matthew Henson – an African American explorer who is credited with exploring the North Pole. His geographical exploits helped map a new world, allowing for a new era in cartography and worldly discoveries.
Marc Joseph, the lead Web Developer at C&I Studios, tells the life and legacy of Elijah Cummings – a lifelong political activist and respected member of the U.S. House of Representatives. His dedication to equality and justice helped steer our country in a brighter direction.
Mark Samuels, the Director of Digital Distribution at C&I Studios, tells the life of Malcolm X – a radical civil activist who disrupted the political landscape in his pursuit of equality and justice for black Americans.
Kelci Acree, a barista at Brew Urban Cafe, tells the story of Helen Keller – a remarkable young woman who defied the odds by learning to read and write despite suffering from being blind and deaf.
JT Niemeyer, the lead Video Editor at C&I Studios, tells the history of Ruth Bader Ginsburg – a Supreme Court Justice who dedicated her entire life to the shaping of justice in America.
Chris Hedlund, founder of Chris Headshots, tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen – a heroic band of brothers who fought both racial segregation and Nazi oppression to aid America, and the world, in our greatest hour.
Jonathan Jones, the lead Graphic Designer at C&I Studios, shares the life of George Washington Carver – an American agricultural scientis who discovered and shared innovated farming technique to help lift American farmers out of poverty.
Matthew Bordy, the Co-Founder of Prototype House, tells the story of Dave Chappelle — one of the rare comic geniuses of America who has challenged the comedic circuit with racially charged jokes that have forced deeper discussion into modern-day issues, such as colorism, identity and equality.