The Story Behind The Magical Root
The Magical Root is the incredibly true story of Frederick Douglass — a former slave who became a statesman, activist, author, and entrepreneur during the 19th century. It chronicles a transformational time in his life, beginning with the events first described in his 1845 autobiography, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass.
The story was adapted into an award-winning animated short film by Brandon Miree, and is now available to the public for the first time as a complete digital learning pack.
Why this story?
The school system barely scratches the surface on teaching students about African American history. The same handful of names appear every February, and there are even fewer stories with anecdotal lessons that can be applied today.
Nearly 79% of those who watched our short film on Frederick Douglass had never before heard this side of his life story. The principles inside it have the power to change the lives of anyone who grasps them.
Our mission
To make rich, accurate, engaging Black history accessible to children and families everywhere — through animation, illustration, and lessons designed to actually stick.