This powerful documentary celebrated six trailblazing African American women whose artistry and courage helped reshape American entertainment and culture. Through the lives and careers of Lena Horne, Abbey Lincoln, Nina Simone, Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson, and Pam Grier, the film explored how these performers challenged racial barriers, defied stereotypes, and forged new paths for creative freedom and social change.
Featuring rare archival footage, intimate interviews, and reflections from those who knew them, as well as contemporary artists inspired by their legacies, the documentary offered a personal and moving look at their lasting impact. Based on Ruth Feldstein’s acclaimed book, How It Feels To Be Free: Black Women Entertainers and the Civil Rights Movement, the film placed their work within the broader struggle for racial and gender equality, showing how their voices continued to resonate.
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