"One of the amazing American sagas is the history of African-American Literature. It is a history of a literature that rose out of slavery, oppression and racism to become one of the great literary traditions in the world. Great African American Authors, an eight part series, brings to light the accomplishments of over 40 brilliant black writers, who against all odds wrote great novels, plays and poetry. These authors include Phillis Wheatley, James Weldon Johnson, Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Maya Angelou, Toni Morrison, August Wilson, Rita Dove and many more. Their story is the story of America, the story that all Americans should know."--Container.
"Program 1: 1761 - 1901: Born out of slavery and the African oral tradition, African American Authors gave voice to the struggles of black people in the early days of this nation."--container.
"Program 2: 1902 - 1924: The onset of the 20th Century gave rise to a new cadre of African American Authors, embodied in the great literary movement known as the Harlem Renaissance. "--container.
"Program 3: 1925 - 1937: The Harlem Renaissance ended as America entered the Great Depression, but new black authors came to the forefront to contribute to the ever-growing body of African American Literature."--container.
"Program 4: 1938 - 1953: New Black literary genres challenge the racial inequalities of mainstream America, and the idea of "Black is beautiful" emerges."--container.
"Program 5: 1954 - 1967: With the Civil Rights Movement in full swing, racial tensions escalate in America. In response African American writers give rise to a new literary expression--Black Power."--container.
"Program 6: 1968 - 1982: African American Literature expands and diversifies into a wide array of styles and genres, but still takes on the growing cultural and economic divide between Whites and Blacks."--container.
"Program 7: 1982 - 1993: A Golden Age in African American Literature begins as black authors find new exciting ways to interpret their role in America."--container.
"Program 8: 1993 - Present: Black poets, playwrights and novelists bring their unique perspective into the 21st Century, and a new wave of writers come on to the scene."--container.