Washoe County Library System

The harrowing account of a black man, born free in New York State, who was drugged, kidnapped, and sold into slavery in 1841. Having no way to contact his family, and fearing for his life if he told the truth, Solomon Northup was sold from plantation to plantation in Louisiana, toiling under cruel masters for twelve years before meeting Samuel Bass, a Canadian who finally put him in touch with his family, and helped start the process to regain his...

An African American detective tries to stop a racist killer by tracking down the only eyewitness to his crimes.

"From August Wilson, author of The Piano Lesson and the 1984-85 Broadway season's best play, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, is another powerful, stunning dramatic work that has won him numerous critical acclaim including the 1987 Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize. The protagonist of Fences (part of Wilson’s ten-part “Pittsburgh Cycle” plays), Troy Maxson, is a strong man, a hard man. He has had to be to survive. Troy Maxson has gone...

"A runwaay foster child will stop at nothing to live with the only family she knows: her homeless, mentally-ill verteran father who lives on the streets of LA's skid row." --container

"Following the rise of Aretha Franklin's career from a young child singing in her father's church's choir to her international superstardom, Respect is the remarkable true story of the music icon's journey to find her voice and become the Queen of Soul."--container.

Craig and Smokey must come up with $200 they owe a local bully or there won't be a Saturday.

Infused with spirituals, folk songs, blues, and jazz, Hallelujah follows the fortunes of Zeke, a poor cotton farmer. Love, loss, passion, redemption, make this cinematic milestone the first all-black feature from a major studio.

Director Spike Lee fashions a bold, flavorful picture of family life in a crowded but cozy Brooklyn neighborhood nicknamed "Crooklyn" by the Carmichaels, who experience one very special summer in their hometown under difficult but often wonderful circumstances. A chronicle of the life of an African-American middle-class family and the one girl in the family of five children.

The River Niger: A house-painter/poet struggles to support his cancer-plagued wife. -- Death of a prophet: Combines documentary footage with reenactments to weave a fascinating work. A suspense thriller which follows the events in the final 24 hours of the life of religious and political leader Malcolm X. The River Niger: A house-painter/poet struggles to support his cancer-plagued wife. Death of a prophet: Combines documentary footage with reenactments...