When I first started in Hollywood back in the 90s, the rules of the game were clear. If you wanted your work to be seen, you had to get on one of the major networks or land a slot with a big studio. There weren’t many lanes, and for Black creatives, the options were even fewer. The gatekeepers were real, and breaking through those gates took more than just talent — it took persistence, luck, and often knowing the right people.
But fast-forward to today, and the landscape looks completely different. Streaming platforms have blown the doors wide open, and suddenly, stories that once would’ve been overlooked now have a chance to shine. For Black creatives, this shift has been nothing short of revolutionary.
Breaking Free From Old Limitations
Back in the network days, there was always this invisible ceiling over Black television. You could only have so many shows with predominantly Black casts, and they had to fit into very specific molds. I remember the grind of trying to convince executives that our stories were universal, that Black families, friendships, and love stories could resonate with everybody.
Streaming has changed that. Platforms like Netflix, ALLBLK, Hulu, and Amazon Prime are hungry for content. They aren’t bound by the same rigid schedules as network TV, so they can take bigger risks and offer more variety. That means shows about Black life don’t have to look or feel the same — they can be sitcoms, dramas, docuseries, or even experimental storytelling. That freedom has opened the door for a wave of new Black voices who might never have had the chance in the old system.
The Power of Niche Audiences
One of the biggest shifts streaming brought is the idea that you don’t have to please everybody. On network TV, if a show wasn’t pulling in millions of viewers across every demographic, it was gone. But streaming showed us that you can create a show that speaks directly to a specific audience — and if that audience loves it, that’s enough.
For Black creatives, this is huge. It means we don’t have to water down our stories to fit into a broad, “mainstream” definition of entertainment. We can lean into the details of our culture, our humor, our struggles, and our triumphs, knowing that the right audience will find us. That’s why you see shows on streaming platforms that feel more authentic, more specific, and more daring than what we grew up with.
My Own Journey Into Streaming
I’ve had the privilege of experiencing this shift firsthand. Over the years, I’ve gone from working on traditional network hits like Martin and The Jamie Foxx Show to creating shows for Bounce TV and ALLBLK, which exist precisely because streaming and digital distribution made space for them.
When we launched Family Time on Bounce TV, it was the network’s very first original scripted series. That kind of opportunity would’ve been unthinkable in the 90s, when smaller networks didn’t invest in original Black content. And later, teaming up with MC Lyte for Partners in Rhyme on ALLBLK, I saw how streaming platforms allowed us to tell stories with fresh energy and without the same creative restrictions we dealt with in the past.
These platforms let us control the narrative. They let us experiment. And most importantly, they let us reach audiences directly who are hungry for stories that reflect their lives.
Challenges Still Remain
Now, don’t get me wrong — streaming didn’t magically solve every problem. Black creatives still face barriers when it comes to budgets, marketing, and visibility. Just because you make it onto a platform doesn’t mean the platform will promote your work as heavily as other shows. Sometimes, great Black stories get buried in the shuffle, and it takes grassroots support from fans to bring them the attention they deserve.
There’s also the challenge of ownership. Even in the streaming era, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of having a show picked up and forget about retaining control of your work. That’s why I always preach the importance of ownership. Don’t just create — protect what you create. Streaming may have opened doors, but if we don’t own our work, we risk giving away the very power this new era has granted us.
Building a Future for the Next Generation
What excites me most about streaming is what it means for the future. The next generation of Black creatives doesn’t have to play by the same old rules. They can write, shoot, and distribute their work in ways that were impossible when I was starting out. You can make a series with a small budget, build an audience online, and end up with a streaming deal. That kind of independence and access would’ve been unimaginable in the 90s.
As someone who’s been blessed to ride this rollercoaster for three decades, I feel a responsibility to pass along what I’ve learned. That’s part of why I wrote The Hollywood Blueprint. I want young creatives to know not only how to get their foot in the door, but how to navigate once they’re inside. Streaming has changed the game, but the game still has rules — and you need to know them to survive and thrive.
Streaming has redefined what’s possible for Black creatives. It’s given us space to tell more stories, more honestly, and to reach audiences who’ve been waiting to see themselves on screen. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s a step toward greater diversity, authenticity, and ownership in entertainment.
For me, it’s been a blessing to witness this transformation and to play a role in shaping it. The work isn’t done, but the opportunities are greater than ever. To every young Black creative out there dreaming of making their mark, my advice is simple: tell your truth, own your work, and don’t be afraid to take advantage of this new era. Because the game has changed — and it’s our time to play it.