The Hollywood landscape is changing with more opportunities for representation arising each year. Films like Black Panther and BlacKkKlansman earned a slew of awards this year and rewarding these incredible Black filmmakers for their work will only continue as the industry diversifies. From top to bottom, the industry is hearing more stories from diverse individuals, and Black-owned production companies are leading the way.
Harpo Productions
Harpo Productions comes from media icon Oprah Winfrey. The production company is responsible for several television programs including The Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Phil, and Rachael Ray – the company also had a hand in films such as Selma and Precious. In 2011, Winfrey moved the company from Chicago to West Hollywood and launched the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN).
SpringHill Entertainment
Basketball superstar LeBron James has been slowly entering the entertainment industry in recent years. James and Maverick Carter created SpringHill Entertainment and focus on projects across television and film. With James taking his talents to the Los Angeles Lakers, the studio has continued to expand. HBO’s The Shop is a new series featuring some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment, discussing and debating current events at different barbershops in the country. The highly anticipated Space Jam sequel is another project in the pipeline for James’ SpringHill Entertainment.
Monkeypaw Productions
Jordan Peele founded this Black owned-production company in 2012. The first project under the Monkeypaw Productions was Comedy Central’s Key & Peele. The studio also went on to produce Peele’s directorial debut, Get Out, as well as his next film, Us. He is also the mastermind behind the upcoming CBS All Access revival of The Twilight Zone. Monkeypaw Productions is committed to producing thought-provoking content that brings social issues to light from underrepresented voices in the industry.
Array
Array is a product company ran by female filmmaker Ava Duvernay. Beginning in 2010, the independent film studio champions people of color and female filmmakers to share their voice through film. The Burial of Kojo is the latest picture to come from the company, which will be available on Netflix later this month.
Tyler Perry Studios
This production company is from well-known filmmaker Tyler Perry and is responsible for the Madea film franchise and other notable projects in Black entertainment. Tyler Perry Studios is located in Atlanta, GA, and houses all of Perry’s projects as well as AMC’s The Walking Dead.
