A survey of the range of Black American art, this film traces the African influences in the first generations of work in America, the widening range of work produced in the slave era, the early struggles for serious recognition in the 19th Century and the important work of contemporary artists. Painters, sculptors, cabinet makers, potters, builders and other artisans are represented. Joshua Johnson, Henry Tanner, Romare Bearden, Charles Alston, Selma Burke, John Rhoden, Charles White and John Biggers are some of the artists featured.