Spoken word meet social critique in this power piece exploring the cyclical nature of mental health challenges within the black community.

“What is Black August?” offers an introductory look at the history and significance of this month of reflection and resistance. Born out of the struggles of incarcerated freedom fighters in the 1970s, Black August honors the resilience, sacrifice, and revolutionary spirit of Black liberation movements. This overview highlights its roots, its cultural and political meaning, and why remembrance and action remain vital today.

Organized by Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity, this gathering connects the year’s focus to real practices within the community. Rooted in leadership, resilience, and collective action, it highlights how shared values and lived experiences can be transformed into strategies for empowerment, healing, and lasting change.

“Black August Honors Political Prisoners Like George Jackson” examines the significance of Black August—a month commemorated in remembrance of George Jackson, whose legacy continues to inspire Black liberation movements. The segment features Monifa Bandele, a leader with the Movement for Black Lives, speaking with Marc Lamont Hill about the enduring importance of this annual commemoration and its role in honoring political prisoners and celebrating Black resistance.

Still Fighting: Unpacking the Revolutionary Spirit of Black August” reverberates with the legacy of resistance and liberation. This piece examines how Black August remains a vital call to action—affirming the power, endurance, and unyielding spirit of Black communities in the ongoing pursuit of justice and self-determination.

Black August: The Legacy of Resistance” honors the struggle for freedom and justice within Black communities. Centering figures like George Jackson—whose life, writings, and death at San Quentin in 1971 became a catalyst for Black August—the video reflects on how resistance, remembrance, and resilience continue to shape the fight for liberation

On this day in 1971, George Jackson was assassinated in San Quentin prison. His killing sparked prisoner organizing across the nation and is commemorated each year during Black August. The Legacy of George Jackson: What is Black August? explores how his life, writings, and ultimate sacrifice gave rise to a month of remembrance, reflection, and resistance—keeping alive a tradition of liberation, justice, and self-determination that continues to inspire movements today.

Black August honors the resilience and resistance of Black people, especially political prisoners and freedom fighters.

Black August matters because it preserves the stories of freedom fighters often erased from history.