NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC | WHERE BLACK EXCELLENCE IS CELEBRATED 365 DAYS A YEAR

As part of National Geographics committment to celebrating Black Excellence year round, we are excited to share two projects they have for you to enjoy. The first is The Space Race set to premiere February 2024 and Bobi Wine: The People’s President which you can stream NOW on Disney+ and Hulu.

The Space Race

“The Space Race” intertwines the narratives of Black astronauts who strive to overcome social injustice in their pursuit of reaching the stars. Notable individuals featured include Guion Bluford, Ed Dwight, and Charles Bolden, among numerous others. “The Space Race” is a documentary film directed by Lisa Cortés and Diego Hurtado de Mendoza. The film focuses on the remarkable Black pilots, scientists, and engineers who joined NASA with the intention of serving their country in space. However, it sheds light on the unfortunate reality that these individuals faced inequality and discrimination in their own country, despite their contributions to the space program.

The story of African Americans at NASA is a compelling narrative that spans from 1963, when Captain Ed Dwight’s dream of reaching the moon was disrupted by JFK’s assassination, to 2020, when the civil unrest ignited by George Floyd’s tragic death reverberated all the way to the International Space Station. It is a tale of extraordinary individuals whose aspirations intersected with significant global events. The vibrant dreams of Afrofuturism come to life in THE SPACE RACE, transforming science fiction into reality and reshaping our perception of what it means to have “the right stuff.” This groundbreaking movement introduces us to a new set of heroes to admire and offers an exciting new chapter in history to delve into.

Bobi Wine: The People’s President

Bobi Wine, the Ugandan opposition leader, former member of parliament, activist, and national superstar musician, was born in the slums of Kampala. He courageously puts his life, as well as the lives of his wife, Barbie, and their children, at risk in his fight against the oppressive regime led by Yoweri Museveni. Museveni has held power in Uganda since 1986 and made amendments to the country’s constitution in order to secure his eligibility for another five-year term.

Bobi Wine, who is running in the 2021 presidential elections, utilizes his music to denounce the dictatorial regime and pursue his life mission of defending the oppressed and giving a voice to the voiceless people of Uganda. In this battle, he is also confronted with the country’s police and military forces, who resort to violence and torture in an unsuccessful effort to intimidate and silence him and his supporters.