7 Black History Month Films to Inspire Year-Round Advocacy

Introduction

Even though Black History Month is drawing to a close, there are still opportunities to create new history. One thing that has become increasingly clear is the role politics play in our society and there is a need to get involved at the legislative level. Internal drivers — deep-seated beliefs, personal experiences, and emotional triggers — are powerful forces that shape our actions and decisions, often motivating individuals to engage in political advocacy.

Films, with their ability to tell compelling stories and evoke strong emotions, can act as catalysts by tapping into these internal drivers, making distant issues feel personal and urgent. A well-crafted documentary or narrative film can expose injustices, highlight underrepresented voices, and create a sense of moral responsibility that pushes viewers beyond passive awareness into active engagement. By seeing real or dramatized struggles unfold on screen, audiences often connect with causes on a visceral level, inspiring them to research, donate, or even organize for change. If you’ve ever felt stirred by a film to take action, you know its power — here are the 7 films we watched that jump started our advocacy:

BOYCOTT (2001)

Boycott (MAX), starring Jeffrey Wright as Martin Luther King Jr., dramatizes the historic Montgomery Bus Boycott, a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement. The film follows King, Rosa Parks, and other activists as they organize a year-long protest against segregation in public transportation, facing threats, arrests, and intense opposition. Through powerful storytelling, it highlights themes of justice, grassroots advocacy, and the power of collective action in challenging systemic racism. Ultimately, Boycott illustrates how everyday individuals, motivated by ethical beliefs and personal motivations, can spark societal transformation through tactical defiance and steadfast determination. Hmm… that rings a bell…

The Five Heartbeats (1991)

The Five Heartbeats (Tubi), directed by and starring Robert Townsend, follows the rise, struggles, and redemption of a fictional 1960s R&B group (loosely based on The Dells) navigating the music industry. As they achieve fame, they face exploitation, racism, and internal conflicts, highlighting the tension between success and staying true to their values. The film explores the entertainment industry’s injustices, from corrupt record executives to systemic barriers for Black artists, while also emphasizing the importance of humility, brotherhood, and using one’s platform for advocacy. Ultimately, The Five Heartbeats is a powerful story about resilience, the price of fame, and the enduring fight for artistic and social justice.

The Meteor Man (1993)

The Meteor Man (Tubi), also starring and directed by Robert Townsend, is a unique superhero film that blends comedy, action, and social commentary. When mild-mannered teacher Jefferson Reed is struck by a meteor, he gains superpowers and decides to use them to protect his crime-ridden neighborhood from the ruthless Golden Lords gang. As a hero, he inspires his community to stand up against violence and injustice, but he also experiences the fickleness of support when people hesitate to fight for themselves. The film emphasizes the power of reading and education, as Reed’s ability to absorb knowledge instantly becomes one of his most valuable weapons. Despite his powers, humility remains central to his journey, reminding audiences that true heroism lies in service, not just strength. Ultimately, The Meteor Man is a socially conscious take on the superhero genre, using entertainment to advocate for justice, community empowerment, and the importance of knowledge in overcoming oppression.

Harlem Nights (1989)

Harlem Nights (Amazon Prime), starring Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy, is a stylish crime-comedy that explores Black entrepreneurship, resilience, and survival in 1930s Harlem. Pryor’s character, Sugar Ray, and his son Quick (Murphy) run a successful nightclub, navigating the challenges of corrupt law enforcement, the mafia, and internal betrayals. The film highlights the power of community and business ownership, showing how Black entrepreneurs must outsmart their adversaries in a world rigged against them. It also critiques sellouts, those who betray their own for personal gain, while emphasizing the importance of strategy, intelligence, and even literacy in overcoming oppression. Despite its comedic and action-packed nature, Harlem Nights underscores humility and the necessity of advocating for one’s people in the face of systemic injustice. Ultimately, the film blends entertainment with sharp social commentary, celebrating the fight for independence and the ability to turn the tables on those who seek to exploit and destroy Black success.

The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)

The Distinguished Gentleman stars Eddie Murphy as Thomas Jefferson Johnson, a smooth-talking con artist who unexpectedly wins a seat in Congress by exploiting name recognition. Initially entering politics for personal gain, he soon realizes the depth of corruption and how it harms everyday people, pushing him to overcome his ambivalence and fight for real change. With the help of a diverse coalition and key allies, he outsmarts his adversaries, using their own tactics against them to advocate for justice and community uplift. The film highlights the power of reading and knowledge in navigating complex systems while also emphasizing humility as Johnson transforms from a grifter into a true public servant. Through humor and sharp political satire, The Distinguished Gentleman showcases how the right mix of strategy, advocacy, and coalition-building can challenge power and create meaningful change.

The Banker (2020)

The Banker, starring Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie, is a powerful drama based on the true story of two Black entrepreneurs, Bernard Garrett and Joe Morris, who defy systemic racism to build a real estate and banking empire in the 1960s. Despite doing everything by the book, they still face relentless opposition, forcing them to outsmart their adversaries by hiring a white man as the public face of their business. Their fearless perseverance and strategic coalition-building uplift the Black community by providing access to homeownership and financial independence. However, their success threatens the establishment, leading to legal battles that expose the harsh reality that even when Black excellence follows all the rules, the system still finds ways to punish it. The Banker is a gripping tale of justice, resilience, and the power of allyship in the fight against economic oppression.

The Hateful Eight (2015)

The Hateful Eight (Netflix), directed by Quentin Tarantino, is a tense Western thriller set in post-Civil War America, where a group of strangers, each with their own secrets and prejudices, are trapped in a remote cabin during a blizzard. The film’s climax forces former enemies, including a Black bounty hunter (Samuel L. Jackson’s Major Marquis Warren) and a Confederate-sympathizing sheriff (Walton Goggins’ Chris Mannix), into an uneasy alliance to bring down a manipulative fugitive and her gang. This mirrors the themes in They Were Her Property, which details how white men and women, despite their own power struggles, maintained unity in upholding the institution of slavery when their economic interests were at stake. Similarly, The Hateful Eight suggests that self-preservation and shared interests can temporarily override deep-seated divisions, demonstrating how a common enemy can drive strategic, albeit fragile, coalitions. The brutal ending underscores how these alliances, though necessary, are ultimately built on convenience rather than true reconciliation. The film serves as a stark reflection on America’s history of shifting allegiances and the ways power is negotiated, even among those who fundamentally oppose each other.

Conclusion

Life can often imitate art. We hope this small list of films can provide some inspiration for your advocacy. This curated list of films is designed to spark inspiration and fuel your passion for advocacy. If you still need additional inspiration, feel free to visit www.joinados.com, www.adosfoundation.org, or follow us on our various social media. There is a wealth of information and motivational content awaits you. The ADOS AF community is a vibrant community where you can engage, share ideas, and draw strength from like-minded individuals who are equally passionate about making a difference.