‘Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution’ Highlights Contributions of African Americans

NBA legend, best-selling author and esteemed activist Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is an executive producer of the new History Channel documentary Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution.

The documentary premieres Wednesday, February 19 on History and paints a comprehensive picture of the African American experience during the Revolutionary War.

It also shares the story of the war within the revolution through the eyes of some of the most crucial and significant African American figures of our country’s foundation, including Crispus Attucks, Peter Salem, Phillis Wheatley and James Armistead Lafayette.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Photo by Jai Lennard Copyright 2020

“Since retiring from the NBA, I’ve been writing books and articles to bring awareness to the public of the many overlooked African-Americans in history who have contributed so much to American society. Black Patriots chronicles the surprising, crucial, and often ignored role the black people played in the creation of our country,” said Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

“Here’s something we never learned in school: George Washington said that African-Americans were pivotal to winning the Revolutionary War. From soldiers to spies to poets, black people were as much the founders of America as those who signed the Declaration of Independence.”

The documentary will also present Abdul-Jabbar’s personal journey, revealing his own unique discovery of important historical figures and how they helped change the perception of his own heritage.

Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution, Premiere, Wednesday, February 19, 10/9c, History