Watch Black and Missing

Black and Missing is a powerful new documentary series that shines a light on the disproportionate number of missing black people in the United States. Through a combination of interviews, archival footage, and reenactments, the show tells the stories of those who have gone missing and the loving families who are searching for them.

The show is hosted by Natalie Wilson and Derrica Wilson, two sisters who founded the Black and Missing Foundation in 2008 after experiencing the trauma of a missing loved one themselves. Together, they travel the country meeting with families, law enforcement, and activists, and investigating cases that have slipped through the cracks of the mainstream media.

One of the most striking things about Black and Missing is the sheer number of cases that it covers. According to the show, an estimated 230,000 people of color go missing in the United States each year, and many of these cases receive little attention from law enforcement or the media. The show makes a point of highlighting both recent cases and those that have been ongoing for years, such as the case of Terrance Williams and Felipe Santos, two black men who went missing in Florida under suspicious circumstances in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

In addition to profiling individual cases, Black and Missing also explores some of the larger institutional factors that contribute to this crisis. For example, the show delves into the history of how law enforcement has historically neglected missing persons cases in black communities. It also examines how biases in the media and society at large can make it more difficult for black families to get the attention and resources they need to locate their loved ones.

Throughout the series, Natalie and Derrica are joined by a number of experts in the fields of investigation and genetics, including genealogist CeCe Moore, who works with law enforcement agencies to use DNA evidence to solve cold cases. These experts bring their knowledge and experience to bear on the cases that the sisters are investigating, and their insights help to shed light on some of the more complex elements of these cases.

One thing that sets Black and Missing apart from other true crime documentaries is its empathy for the families of the missing. Every case is portrayed as a tragedy not just for the missing person, but for their loved ones who are left behind. The show takes pains to humanize each person who has gone missing, with each episode devoting time to talking about their hobbies, their families, and their dreams for the future. This approach is particularly moving in cases where the missing person is a child or teenager, as the show takes care to show the impact that their disappearance has on the entire community.

Overall, Black and Missing is a thoughtful and thought-provoking series that highlights an important social issue that is often overlooked. It deserves credit for bringing much-needed attention to the vast numbers of black families who are searching for their missing loved ones, and for highlighting some of the institutional factors that make it more difficult for them to do so. Through the voices of the families, activists, and experts who appear on the show, Black and Missing makes a powerful argument for why this issue matters to all of us.

Black and Missing is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (4 episodes). The series first aired on November 23, 2021.