Editor’s note: The following article is an op-ed, and the views expressed are the author’s own. Read more opinions on theGrio.
Raven Baxter. Penny Proud. Jett Jackson. These are just some of many characters that defined the childhoods of millennials across the country who grew up watching Disney Channel, and their legacy continues with the brand new series, “Saturdays.”
Co-produced by “Black-ish” star and media mogul in her own right, Marsai Martin, the brand new series is described as a “coming-of-age roller-skating comedy” written by Norman Vance Jr. (“Girlfriends,” “Roll Bounce”). With an all-Black leading cast, the series only strengthens Disney Channel’s track record of centering Black family stories in their programming.
Stick with us below while we break down the top Black-led series in Disney Channel history that paved the way for “Saturdays,” helping children and families across the world see themselves represented on screen.
The Famous Jett Jackson (1998–2001)
When breaking down Black Disney Channel shows, one must start with “The Famous Jett Jackson.” Premiering in 1998, the series was the channel’s first minority series in its history, starring the late Lee Thompson Young, Montrose Haggins, Ryan Sommers Baum, Kerry Duff and Gordon Greene.
The series centered around Jett Jackson, a young actor known for playing the action hero “Silvertone” in the show-within-the-show of the same name. After successfully launching the series in Los Angeles, Jackson, who decides to “pursue a more normal life,” convinces the production to move to his hometown of Wilsted, North Carolina. Showcasing the intricacies in balancing work with family and personal life, the series is a fan-favorite.
Despite its popularity, the series is not available to stream on Disney+, something that led fans to create a petition for the show’s release.
The Proud…
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