Seen and Heard

Part Two, HEARD, addresses ownership of the narrative, highlighting the need for opportunity at every level – including showrunners, editors, cinematographers, and writers. The responsibility and power of storytelling is demonstrated in Shonda Rhimes' color-blind casting for her powerhouse shows, Oprah betting on herself and owning her own content and vision, and other stories depicting the breath of the Black experience, such as scenes of the Tulsa massacre from HBO's "Watchmen," that underscored the importance of showing Black history authentically.

Part One, SEEN, details decades of cultural shifts in television, with prominent Black voices sharing stories of their journeys, inspirations, and insights into their work and the industry. Historically, Black television was shaped by white writers and creators, from "Amos ‘n' Andy" to wildly popular shows including "The Jeffersons" and "Good Times.