Discover how a man born into slavery became one of the most influential voices for democracy U.S. history. A gifted writer and charismatic orator, it is estimated that more Americans heard Douglass speak than any other 19th-century figure — Black or white. Directed by Oscar®-nominated filmmaker Stanley Nelson and Nicole London, the film features the voice of actor Wendell Pierce as Douglass. Welcome to PBS America, a channel curated for an international audience from America’s Public Broadcasting Service, PBS. This is a factual focussed channel including award-winning American history, current affairs and science.