- '#blackAF,' I'd say, is a provocative spin
on the typical family sitcom, you know?
We're taking on topics like race and relationship
and culture and parenting
in a very unconventional, raw, and honest way
that I don't think a lot of TV shows,
especially family shows, have given to television before.
So, I think it's a really exciting,
fresh take on the family sitcom.
- I mean, it's cool to see Kenya--
I mean, he's acting in the series,
but it's Kenya, you know?
So, it's cool to see both sides of that
and even with Rashida, she's funny and brilliant
and it's cool to see that come to life on screen too,
and their dynamic is so different
and their approach to parenting are so opposite.
So, it's interesting to see the way
that these kids work and their personalities,
'cause it's like, where is it coming from, you know?
- I feel like parents can learn a lot from their own kids
if they just sit down and listen
and just observe how they go about life
in this current day and age, you know?
Kids are a lot smarter than I think they get credit for.
- [Iman] I think that's one of the cool things
about using comedy in the mix of telling these stories
because it allows us
to present these stories lightheartedly
and have these conversations and discussions
in the sense of where, you know, people can laugh
and it resonates more, you know what I mean?
- And like learn at the same time.
(laughing) - Yeah.
- [Genneya] I'm the oldest sister, Chloe,
but I get to learn a lot from you
and throughout the show we really get to see
our relationship develop and whatnot,
but what drew you to her
and did you have to prepare?
What was that type of experience for you?
- I think Drea's very-- She's just very driven,
she's outspoken, and she's very passionate,
not just about her craft,
she's passionate about her family
and we're both slightly awkward,
but still, you know,
I'm still confident, still self assured.
I think that Drea is,
she's the butt of many jokes that she has no friends.
But you know, I like to think that I have friends.
What would you say drew you to Chloe?
Why did you wanna play her
and what are some things that
you would say are similar or different?
- [Genneya] She's very popular, I'd say,
and could at times be under appreciative
and a little bit entitled, you know?
But, I think her exterior can definitely be deceiving.
You know, I think she's a lot more thoughtful
than she puts on, she cares more than she shows often,
and I think she gives some bomb advice,
she gives some pretty good advice to Joya
at some points throughout the series.
So, I don't know, she's definitely underestimated.
So, Kenya, as our dad.
He could be a little bit much at times.
Love him, no shade.
(laughing)
What would you say that his character's purpose
and message, overall message is supposed to be?
- [Iman] He wants Black people to be the best that they can,
you know, and I think that shows in the conversation
about filmmaking and he does it, you know,
in the not wanting to be mediocre in our art
and he wants people from other communities
to have just a overall better understanding
of where we come from and why we are the way that we are.
- The purpose in any show,
there always has to be someone that maybe has
the more outrageous opinion or outlook on things.
There always has to be that person
that says the crazy things
so that other people can talk about it and teach a lesson,
you know what I mean?
Yeah, for sure.
- I think '#blackAF'
is different than other comedy series
because it's told through the lens of Drea's character
and it's told from the perspective of the child
versus, maybe in the past,
it's the parent or whatever it may be.
But, I think it's cool to just see this
unconventional approaches to parenting styles
that Kenya and Joya have
are just these real, raw, authentic relationships
that the siblings have, or the parents have with the child.
What do you hope that viewers are gonna take away,
and young people are gonna take away from the show?
- I, obviously, first and foremost
hope that it can just entertain
and bring joy in this current time,
but I also really hope that our show can inspire people
to open honest and understanding conversation
with one another.
I feel like the world could be very divided
as of late, and I really just hope that this show
can give the Black community something to relate to
and laugh about and give other people an insight
into what it is to be the Black experience, you know?
I think everyone can find something to relate to in it,
within the family dynamic you know?
Whatever that may be, but I just overall think--
Hope that it inspires conversation
and just brings people together.