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Becoming Frederick Douglass

Battling the Slave Breaker

The young, rebellious Douglass is sent to the brutal “slave breaker,” Edward Covey.

Aired 10/11/2022 | Rating NR

Becoming Frederick Douglass

Battling the Slave Breaker

Clip: Episode 1 | 3m 49sVideo has Closed Captions

The young, rebellious Douglass is sent to the brutal “slave breaker,” Edward Covey.

The young, rebellious Douglass is sent to the brutal “slave breaker,” Edward Covey. Refusing to be broken, Douglass emerges even more determined to escape into freedom. Becoming Frederick Douglass is produced and directed by Stanley Nelson and Nicole London and features Wendell Pierce as the voice of Douglass.

Aired 10/11/2022 | Rating NR

Corporate Funding for Becoming Frederick Douglass was provided by Bowie State University, DIRECTV and Pfizer, Inc..

Support provided by:

Bowie State University DIRECTVPfizer, Inc.

The Abolitionists

Video has Closed Captions

A brilliant orator, Douglass becomes famous for his moving speeches against slavery. (3m 1s)

Anna Murray

Video has Closed Captions

Douglass meets Anna Murray and they plot his escape to the North to build a life together. (4m 10s)

Douglass and the Photograph

Video has Closed Captions

Douglass uses the power of his image to challenge white stereotypes of African Americans. (2m 20s)

Extended Trailer

Video has Closed Captions

Discover how a man born into slavery became one of the nation’s most influential leaders. (1m 50s)

A First Look at 'Becoming Frederick Douglass'

Video has Closed Captions

The filmmakers discuss the life of Frederick Douglass. (1m)

The Fugitive Slave Law

Video has Closed Captions

The new law empowers the government to capture and return previously enslaved people. (3m 7s)

The North Star

Video has Closed Captions

Douglass starts the newspaper The North Star, an independent Black voice for abolition. (4m 14s)

Young Frederick Douglass Goes to Baltimore

Video has Closed Captions

Young Frederick Douglass is sent to work in the overseer’s house where he learns to read. (3m 54s)

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Corporate Funding for Becoming Frederick Douglass was provided by Bowie State University, DIRECTV and Pfizer, Inc..

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