From Slavery to Freedom Film Series: Mr. Soul

Join the Heinz History Center’s African American Program for a free, online screening of “Mr. Soul” on Oct. 19, as part of the 2022 From Slavery to Freedom Film Series.

“Mr. Soul” is a documentary film that tells the story of an innovative television program from the 1960s that presented Black culture, politics, history, and current events of the time. Before Oprah, before Arsenio, before Don Cornelius, there was MR. SOUL! Producer, broadcaster, and host of “SOUL!,” Ellis Haizlip made television broadcast history with America’s first “Black Tonight Show.”

“SOUL!” was a predecessor of Soul Train and other Black focused television programs from the period. Soul! Became so popular and provided a platform for Black artists, poets, writers, actors, musicians, and others that the Nixon administration tried to shut it down.

The documentary features archival footage of James Baldwin, Sidney Poitier, Patti LaBelle, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Harry Belafonte, Nikki Giovanni, among others.