Barack and Michelle Obama to appear on YouTube special marking Black History Month

Author Jason Reynolds, Grammy-winning rapper Killer Mike, journalist Jemele Hill and more will join

Clémence Michallon
New York City
Thursday 28 January 2021 15:41 EST
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Barack and Michelle Obama arrive in the Crypt of the US Capitol for Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony on 20 January 2021
Barack and Michelle Obama arrive in the Crypt of the US Capitol for Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony on 20 January 2021 (Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images)

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Barack and Michelle Obama will appear on a special YouTube programme marking Black History Month.

The broadcast will be titled Black Renaissance and air on the YouTube Originals channel on 26 February.

It will showcase the “Black creators, artists, writers, storytellers, and history makers who have shaped our nation’s history; and the next generation of Black voices who are reimagining our future”.

In addition to the former US president and first lady, the programme will feature author Jason Reynolds, Grammy-winning rapper Killer Mike, comedians and Showtime hosts Desus Nice and The Kid Mero, journalist Jemele Hill, British visual artist Shantell Martin, and singer Tobe Nwigwe.

More guests will be announced at a later date.

"People come to YouTube as a place to learn and connect. This Black History month we wanted to continue meeting this challenge which I believe has never been more important,” Nadine Zylstra, Head of Learning, Impact, Kids and Families for YouTube Originals, said in a statement. 

“By choosing art as the lens to further explore Black history, we hope to inspire our audience to continue embracing Black culture in all its various forms.”

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