Patrisse Cullors, who is widely seen as co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, recently revealed that she has landed a production deal with Warner Bros. Television Group.
She released a statement to Variety in which she said to expect the magnification of marginalized voices in any future programming, particularly concerning the Black population.
“Black voices, especially Black voices who have been historically marginalized, are important and integral to today’s storytelling. Our perspective and amplification is necessary and vital to helping shape a new narrative for our families and communities. I am committed to uplifting these stories in my new creative role with the Warner Bros. family,” Cullors stated.
“As a long time community organizer and social justice activist, I believe that my work behind the camera will be an extension of the work I’ve been doing for the last twenty years. I look forward to amplifying the talent and voices of other Black creatives through my work.”
According to Deadline, under the terms of the extensive content partnership, Cullors will “develop and create original programming for all platforms including streaming services, cable, and the five broadcast networks. This includes but is not limited to live-action scripted drama and comedy series; longform/event series; unscripted docuseries; animated programming for co-viewing among kids, young adults and families; and original digital content.”
As noted in the report, WBTVG and Cullors are planning to work together to help reinforce the necessity for “inclusivity and authentic storytelling.” The partnership “will amplify the work of the Black Lives Matter movement.”
The statement said the agreement will continue WBTVG’s devotion to work with diverse and distinctive creators and voices, and to assist in “their storytelling vision by taking advantage of the artistic freedoms that the Studio can provide.”
The agreement will also include a deal producing series for HBO Max, HBO and other WarnerMedia-affiliated channels, along with other non-WarnerMedia platforms.
Cullors landed the Warner Bros. deal following the announcement of her involvement in the YouTube “Resist” documentary series. The documentary will follow “the grassroots work of multicultural and intersectional organizations fighting the Los Angeles County’s $3.5 billion jail expansion plan in 2018 and examines the issues of cash bail” as well as “over-policing of Black and brown neighborhoods,” YouTube said in its announcement.
Cullors has worked in TV previously, with previous experience as a staff writer on Freeform’s “Good Trouble” in which she also made an appearance. Cullors was also recently recognized for her role in Black Lives Matter as TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2020 and TIME Magazine’s 2020 list of the 100 Women of the Year.
