Honoring Our Legacy and Building Generational Wealth: Must-See Films and Documentaries for Black History Month
Apple TV/ Via Northern Lights
Black History Month is a time to celebrate our past, reflect on our journey, and look toward the future. As we honor the contributions of our ancestors, we must also take a moment to recognize the wealth they built and the importance of protecting it for future generations.
To help you understand the importance of wealth preservation, generational success, and the fight to keep what’s ours, I’ve curated a list of must-see films and documentaries that address these powerful themes. These stories—whether fictional or based on real events—showcase the struggles, triumphs, and lessons of Black families trying to secure their futures.
1. The Piano Lesson– The Fight to Keep the Family Together
The Piano Lesson, a play by August Wilson, is a fictional but relatable story about a family’s inheritance struggles. The central conflict revolves around an intricately carved piano that represents the family’s history, memories, and wealth. The character struggles with whether to sell the piano for financial gain or to preserve the family’s legacy. Ultimately, the characters choose to keep the family together, rejecting selfish ambition in favor of unity.
This story captures the real-life emotional fight that many families experience when balancing financial needs with the importance of preserving history and legacy. The Piano Lesson may be a fictional story, but it reflects the very real conflict many Black families face when it comes to inheritance, values, and generational wealth. Watching this play or the film adaptation serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of estate planning and honoring your family’s history.
Watch the film adaptation of The Piano Lesson here.
2. Silver Dollar Road – A Documentary on Land Loss and Heirship Issues
Silver Dollar Road is a documentary that tells the story of a Black family who lost their waterfront land due to a common issue in estate planning—heirship problems. Without clear legal documents or probate, multiple people inherited the land, but no one had clear ownership, and over time, the land was lost. This heartbreaking documentary showcases the real consequences of not having a proper estate plan in place.
This family’s ongoing fight is a testament to their strength and resilience. It shows why every family needs to have an estate planning attorney in their corner.
Watch Silver Dollar Road here.
If you’re in DC, MD, or NC, contact me today to ensure your family’s land and legacy are protected.
For those in other states, you can find estate planning attorneys who can help at this link.
3. The Banker – Building Wealth Through Innovation and Resilience
The Banker tells the true story of two historical heroes of the Black community—Eugene Jackson and Bernard Garrett—who, in the 1960s, secretly built a successful banking empire by training a working-class man to pose as the face of their financial institution. This daring move challenged systemic racism and showed how Black people could create wealth, despite the barriers in place.
Eugene Jackson and Bernard Garrett were pioneers who found innovative ways to overcome the financial obstacles of their time, proving that resilience and financial independence could break the chains of systemic inequality. The Banker celebrates their ingenuity and perseverance, serving as an inspiring reminder of the power of Black entrepreneurship.
Watch The Banker here.
4. The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (Apple TV) – Preserving Family Wealth
The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey is a limited series based on the novel by Walter Mosley. It follows the story of Ptolemy Grey, a man struggling with dementia, who is given a chance to regain his memories. As he recalls his life, he uncovers long-buried family secrets and the importance of securing his legacy. Through Ptolemy's journey, we see how the passage of time and lack of planning can complicate the process of protecting one’s family legacy.
A powerful moment in the series is when Coydog McCann, Ptolemy’s childhood mentor, makes him promise to use the wealth left to him for future generations of Black people. Read more about the scene here.
However, waiting too long to make decisions and not clearly documenting his wishes caused a major fight over Ptolemy’s estate. The struggle for control of the wealth compromised his true desire to have the wealth managed by a responsible and good-hearted person. This conflict serves as a poignant lesson about the importance of planning ahead and ensuring that your estate reflects your true intentions before it’s too late.
This gripping narrative highlights the need for clarity in inheritance and the protection of family wealth, especially when the clock is ticking. It’s a powerful reminder of why we must make sure our estates are planned, and our legacies are secure before it's too late.
Watch The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey here.
Take Action: Start Protecting Your Legacy Today!
These films and documentaries are more than just entertainment—they’re lessons in wealth preservation, estate planning, and protecting what’s rightfully ours. As we celebrate Black History Month, let’s also take this opportunity to reflect on our own family legacies and ensure they are passed down with purpose and protection.
If you’ve learned anything from these stories, it’s that proper estate planning isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Don’t let your family’s wealth slip through the cracks. Start planning today, and honor the legacy of those who came before you.
Don’t wait any longer—your family’s future depends on the decisions you make today. Call me now to schedule an appointment and get your estate plan in place. Let’s protect your wealth, ensure your legacy is preserved, and secure your family’s financial future for generations to come.