On the Shoulders of Giants 2011

On the Shoulders of Giants — the story of the greatest team you never heard of — is a film created by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar that arrived on the national scene through Video on Demand on major cable outlets in February 2011 and was also introduced to high schools across the country during Black History Month. The documentary shines a long-overdue spotlight on a piece of American sports history that has too often been forgotten.

In 1939, the world of professional basketball was deeply segregated. Black teams could compete against white teams, but they were barred from championships and from shared leagues. Amid this inequality stood the Harlem Renaissance Big Five, better known as the Harlem Rens — widely regarded as the best Black basketball team of their era. The film chronicles how they rose above extraordinary obstacles, from pervasive racism to the hardships of the Great Depression, and still managed to become world champions. Their extraordinary victories against the top white teams of the time helped them redefine what Black athletes could achieve on a national stage, and they served as enduring role models for Black America.

Yet the Rens’ triumphs did not translate into lasting public recognition. They are depicted as one of the most important but least remembered chapters in sports history, their story largely untold to broader audiences even as other Black champions of the era, like Jesse Owens or Joe Louis, maintained a more visible presence in popular memory. On the Shoulders of Giants works to close that gap by recounting how the Harlem Rens not only shattered statistical odds but also provided a powerful source of pride and possibility for generations of Black Americans.

The film’s mission goes beyond retelling a victory tale. It aims to revive a crucial slice of Black history and to ensure that Black heroes from sports, music, literature, and culture stand as visible figures for young people to admire and emulate. By centering the Harlem Rens’ story within the broader tapestry of the Harlem Renaissance, the documentary connects athletic achievement to broader social progress, highlighting the enduring impact of Black excellence on American society.

Accompanying the film is a high school educational program developed by the Skyhook Foundation, an initiative associated with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The study guide crafted for this program carries endorsements from the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) and enjoys support from UCLA for distribution to social studies teachers nationwide. The goal of this educational material is clear: to deepen U.S. high school students’ knowledge and awareness of the Harlem Renaissance and the pivotal figures who shaped sports, music, literature, and history during that era.

Together, the film and its educational outreach seek to preserve an essential piece of Black history and to offer new generations a source of inspiration through the example of the Harlem Rens. It is a thoughtful invitation to recognize and celebrate the athletes, pioneers, and communities that challenged segregation and helped lay the groundwork for broader social change in America.