blackfilm.com correspondent Koku Tona spoke with Jabari Banks (Bel-Air) to talk about the YouTube Originals Black Voices Fund series “The Mandela Project”. The five-part series premieres on Monday, July 18th, 2022, recognized as Mandela Day. Banks is one of six celebrities who chose passion initiatives they felt important for the community.
The episodes include:
Voting – Jabari Banks (US)
Poetry – Marsai Martin (US)
Gardening – Big Zuu (UK)
Soccer – Patrice Evra and Jeremy Lynch (UK)
Education – Zozibini Tunzi (South Africa)
During their talk, Banks spoke about his canvassing prior to landing the role of Will Smith in ‘Bel-Air’, the importance of the voting, and combating voter suppression. Check out the interview, and let us know what you think!
NEW YORK, Monday, July 11, 2022 – YouTube Originals celebrates the enduring legacy and impact of Nelson Mandela’s work through the eyes of some of today’s brightest stars across the globe in the new original series, “The Mandela Project” from the global platform’s Black Voices Fund. The five-part event premieres Monday, July 18, internationally recognized as Nelson Mandela Day, on BET’s YouTube Channel.
The mission of Nelson Mandela Day empowers people to contribute to their local communities and inspires them to give back through the lens of Mandela’s work and life learnings. From a community garden project and healing therapy of poetry to education and engaging young voters, each episode features a notable international celebrity exploring a different project focused on a subject close to their heart.
Featuring actors Marsai Martin (Black-ish) and Jabari Banks (Bel Air); musician and chef Big Zuu; international soccer star Patrice Evra; F2 Freestyler Jeremy Lynch; Miss South Africa and Miss Universe (2019) Zozibini Tunzi, “The Mandela Project” spotlights them making a meaningful difference in their communities across the UK, USA and South Africa with stories linked back to the man who has inspired them.
Official Trailer | ‘The Mandela Project’
Episodes include:
Voting – Jabari Banks (US)
Poetry – Marsai Martin (US)
Gardening – Big Zuu (UK)
Soccer – Patrice Evra and Jeremy Lynch (UK)
Education – Zozibini Tunzi (South Africa)
The series also features never-before-heard anecdotes and personal stories from his grandson Ndaba Mandela, co-founder and chairman of the Mandela Institute for Humanity.
“Nelson Mandela’s legacy was rooted in the message of unity for all mankind which aligns with our continued mission for the YouTube Black Voices Fund and YouTube Original programming. We’re excited to partner with BET, VIS and The Nelson Mandela Foundation in amplifying the voices of these dynamic storytellers and celebrating Mandela Day around the globe,” said Laurel Stier, Global Head of Unscripted Content, YouTube Originals.
“BET is the ultimate destination and platform allowing new voices and filmmaking talent to create engaging and provocative stories. We are proud to partner with YouTube Black Voices Fund and YouTube Originals to celebrate the legacy of Nelson Mandela in our ongoing commitment to expanding diverse voices within the creative community,” said Kimberly Paige, EVP & Chief Marketing Officer of BET. “From Atlanta to Brazil and South Africa, our storytellers may come from various places on the globe but are unified by the impact and influence Black culture has on the world, and we can’t wait for their stories to be heard.”
“The Mandela Project” is produced in Africa by VIS, Paramount’s international studio, in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Foundation. Shurwin Beckford serves as showrunner. Nadine Zylstra is Global Head of YouTube Originals. Laurel Stier is Global Head of Unscripted Content, YouTube Originals. Margaret Burris is the Creative Lead on “The Mandela Project” for YouTube Originals.
ABOUT YOUTUBE BLACK VOICES FUND:
YouTube’s Black Voices Fund is a multi-year commitment dedicated to spotlighting and developing Black creators and music on the platform by giving them access to resources to help them thrive on YouTube.
ABOUT VIS:
Introduced in 2018, VIS is the international studio division of Paramount. VIS covers production of content for Paramount brands and platforms, including Paramount+, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, Channel 5, Network 10, Telefe, and Chilevisión, as well as for third parties. The studio includes Ananey and Porta Dos Fundos, as well as the new cause-driven division, VIS Social Impact. VIS’ content covers all genres, from kids, young adult, live-action and animation to soap operas, dramas, short and long-form comedy formats and feature films.
ABOUT BET:
BET, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA; PARAP), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African American audience. The primary BET channel is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, a growing BET festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
Related Link: https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2021/12/bel-air-peacocks-fresh-prince-reimagining-set-to-premier-super-bowl-sunday/
