Nanny of the Maroons (04:19)

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Queen Nanny was an 18th-century woman abducted from Ghana. She escaped slavery and led a community of formerly enslaved West Africans against British authorities in the colony of Jamaica.

Toussaint Louverture (04:31)

François-Dominique Toussaint Louverture was a leader of the Haitian Revolution. He fought for and against France. He was captured and spent the rest of his life imprisoned.

Olaudah Equiano (03:24)

Equiano and his sister were kidnapped in Nigeria and sold into slavery. He purchased his own freedom and became an abolitionist. "The Oracle" executed a plan to discredit him, but later retracted the story.

Ignatius Sancho (02:51)

Sancho was born on a slave ship and orphaned by the time he reached land. He went on to become a writer, composer, and abolitionist.

Phillis Wheatley (04:12)

Wheatley was kidnapped as a child and sold into slavery. She was released after her poems were published at age 19. She went on to argue that America was not free if not all of its people had freedom.

Sojourner Truth (03:22)

Truth was born into slavery in New York. She escaped with her infant and found her calling when she converted to Methodism. She became an abolitionist and spoke out for women's rights.

Nat Turner (02:36)

Turner was a preacher who was born into slavery. He led an insurrection and freed many enslaved Africans. He was hanged after his famous rebellion.

Frederick Douglas (04:03)

Douglas escaped slavery in 1838 and became a writer and public speaker. As an abolitionist he chose to fight for change in America.

Dred Scott (02:46)

In 1857, Scott attempted to sue for his freedom. The case made it to the Supreme Court, which ruled against him. An abolitionist bought freedom for Scott and his wife.

William Still (02:16)

Still was born to parents who had escaped slavery. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Anti-Slavery Society and directly helped people escaping slavery.

Harriet Tubman (03:56)

Tubman was the most successful conductor of the Underground Railroad. A large reward was offered for her capture. She was recruited as a scout and spy during the Civil War.

Credits: 400 Years Taking the Knee: Episode 1 (00:34)

Credits: 400 Years Taking the Knee: Episode 1