By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent
Television history, marred by a narrow portrayal of non-white characters, witnessed a transformative journey from caricatures and racist depictions to the evolution of influential, Black-centered shows like the influential and groundbreaking “The Cosby Show,” in the 1980s, “A Different World,” “Living Single,” in the 1990s, and later “Black-ish.” The television landscape shifted as those shows emerged, challenging stereotypes, and showcasing diverse Black experiences.
Today, streaming is the biggest game in Hollywood and Whoopi Goldberg, an award-winning actress and co-host of “The View,” is stepping into this legacy, aiming to redefine the narrative of Black representation in family-friendly streaming by investing in Blkfam. The outlet is already being hailed as the first-ever Black-owned and Black-focused family streaming platform. Launched on February 26 across multiple platforms, Blkfam could be a significant stride toward addressing the underrepresentation of Black families in the streaming market.
At its inception, Blkfam boasted a content library featuring over 20 syndicated series, encompassing over 1,000 hours of animation titles and dozens of animated characters of color with diverse gender experiences. The platform also offers hundreds of hours of original music-driven content, signaling a commitment to fostering an authentic and inclusive narrative.
Goldberg, an equity investor in Blkfam, sits at the forefront of the groundbreaking initiative alongside Larry Adams, a digital media veteran and CEO of the platform. Goldberg, known for her roles in iconic films like “The Color Purple” and “Sister Act,” has been a vocal advocate for positive representation. “I like the idea of being part of something that will grow,” Goldberg declared. “As I get older, I say, ‘Wow, things will outlast me.’ This is one of the things I hope outlasts me — I could be the Black woman, Walt Disney!”
Blkfam will stream over various platforms, including iOS, Android, and Amazon Prime Video Channels.
