“Since retiring from the NBA, I’ve been writing books and articles to bring awareness to the public of the many overlooked African Americans in history who have contributed so much to American society. ‘Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution’ chronicles the surprising, crucial, and often ignored role the black people played in the creation of our country,” said Abdul-Jabbar.

Here’s something we never learned in school: George Washington said that African Americans were pivotal to winning the Revolutionary War. From soldiers to spies to poets, black people were as much the founders of America as those who signed the Declaration of Independence.

“HISTORY is dedicated to telling compelling, significant stories of individuals that have made an immense impact on the world,” said Eli Lehrer, Executive Vice President and General Manager for HISTORY. “We are honored to partner with Kareem on this project he is deeply passionate about, and to honor the legacy​ and commemorate the sacrifices these individuals made in fighting for both their country and their freedom. ‘Black Patriots: Heroes of the Revolution’ will educate our viewers about a group of people whose stories are seldom told and whose unrelenting bravery is rarely recognized.”​