kweliTV, the premier streaming black service celebrating and showcasing black stories and culture worldwide, announces the launch of kweliFUND, a groundbreaking crowdfunding platform created just for its roughly 500 creators,. The platform’s goal is to completely transform the crowdfunding experience by giving supporters a carefully curated area where they can directly access and support various Black creators.
DeShuna Spencer found a clear issue when she sat in front of her TV to go through her options: No one represented or looked like the folks she knew. More specifically, she didn’t connect with any Black filmmakers or characters.
“I didn’t see my father, my brother, my husband represented,” Spencer told CNN Business. “The media was really inundated with these false stereotypes.”
The company describes kweliTV, which Spencer launched in 2015, as “a true reflection of the global Black experience versus what we may sometimes see in mainstream media.” It is a meticulously chosen collection of over 500 streaming options. George Floyd’s death nearly a year ago sparked international protests and rekindled discussions about systemic racism. Now, kweliTV, whose name means “truth” in Swahili, is gaining prominence in filling the void that some major streaming services have been accused of ignoring.
“White people need to be educated,” Spencer said, noting that mainstream platforms might stream “The Help” and “Green Book” among other films about Black experiences, but have been criticized for being cliché. “[Black people] already know that history, and we don’t necessarily need to see it over and over again.”
Spencer claims that kweliTV’s documentary “Negroes With Guns: Rob Williams and Black Power” is only one example of how the platform better captures the experiences of the Black diaspora. In the documentary, Black freedom warrior Rob Williams is featured. Williams argued that the Second Amendment should allow Black people to protect themselves from violent White mobs in the Jim Crow South.
“This was a figure I had never heard of before,” Spencer said. “Again, this is about racism, but it’s really about fighting back. It’s not about just the water hoses.”
DeShuna Spencer, the CEO and founder of kweliTV, expressed her joy about the debut, saying: “At kweliTV, we are dedicated to amplifying authentic Black voices and narratives. With kweliFUND, we’re not only providing a lifeline for our creators but also offering backers a unique opportunity to directly contribute to the growth of Black storytelling worldwide.”
kweliFUND distinguishes itself by providing backers with a simplified experience, showcasing only three to ten campaigns at a time to prioritise quality over quantity. Every project is carefully selected; 98% of the producers have taken part in film festivals, and 65% have won awards. Funders can effortlessly traverse the platform, perusing projects and straightaway gaining access to the creator’s work on kweliTV to gain a thorough comprehension of their outlook and aesthetic.
Theo Hollingsworth, an acclaimed filmmaker whose original animated, sci-fi series, ‘Sirius Lee’ is streaming exclusively on kweliTV, shared his enthusiasm for being a part of the inaugural group of creators on kweliFUND,
Theo Hollingsworth, an acclaimed filmmaker whose animated sci-fi series “Sirius Lee” is available only on kweliTV, expressed his excitement about being among the first wave of creators on kweliFUND, saying: “This initiative represents a pivotal moment for Black filmmakers like myself, providing us with a dedicated space to bring our stories to life with the support of our community. ‘Sirius Lee’ is a project that is deeply meaningful to me, and I am grateful for the opportunity to engage directly with our audience through kweliFUND… I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the future of filmmaking.”
With the goal of encouraging a sense of belonging and teamwork, the platform gives investors the ability to assist filmmakers who are breaking new ground and reshaping society. Among the inaugural campaigns are the following:
- 5G, a groundbreaking, experimental anthology musical film and soundtrack
- Kimpa Vita, a feature film about the revolutionary woman in the Kingdom of Kongo
- Rorisang & The Gurlz, an AfroPop teen comedy series
- Sirius Lee and the Multiverse Mix-up, an animated, time-traveling series based in Oakland
- Soul In Motion 40, a celebration of 40 years in arts with a live African dance concert
- The Adventures of Turtle Taido, an animated children’s series sharing Africa with the world
- The Rainmaking Ceremony, a documentary chronicling the sacred ceremony at the Njelele Shrine in Zimbabwe
“kweliFUND represents our commitment to empowering Black storytellers and providing them with the resources they need to thrive,” said DeShuna Spencer. “We believe in the power of storytelling to create meaningful change, and with kweliFUND, we’re building a platform where creators can bring their visions to life and connect with supporters who share our passion for Black culture.”
kweliTV ranked second behind only Netflix in PC Magazine’s 2021 review of the best streaming platforms for Black content.
“To me it shows that there is room for this type of content that we are curating,” Spencer said while reflecting on the company’s ranking. “We have a better pulse on what the Black community is yearning for.”
To learn more about kweliFUND and support Black stories, visit https://www.kweli.fund. For media inquiries, please email: media@kweli.tv
