Common Sense Media Review
By Marty Brown
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Corny, fun take on undertold stories.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History
What's the Story?
When a film about slavery upsets his daughter, Kevin Hart presents her with Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History. Hart retells inspirational stories from throughout American history, from unconventional war heroes to the doctor who invented heart surgery. Of course, Hart's version of history includes comedic re-enactments featuring cameos from friends like Tiffany Haddish and "Weird Al" Yankovic.
Is It Any Good?
One of the most important questions about history is who gets to tell it. Kevin Hart's Guide to Black History sets out to tell inspirational stories of Black Americans, as a counterpoint to the stories of violence and oppression that tend to get the most focus. Hart tries to keep his version of history light and accessible, with corny humor and fun guests throughout. Of course, the focus on entertainment means that the actual history doesn't get as deep or rich as it otherwise might.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about history. What stories does Hart choose to tell? Why does he pick them? What does this version of history offer that makes it unique?
What is inspirational about these stories? Were any unfamiliar to you? Why do you think these stories aren't necessarily as well known as other parts of Black history?
Does seeing history re-enacted help you understand it better? What did you like or dislike about the way these stories were presented?
TV Details
- Premiere date : February 8, 2019
- Cast : Lil Rel Howery , Kevin Hart
- Network : Netflix
- Genre : Educational
- Topics : Activism , History
- TV rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate