By Sameer Rao
ColorLines, January 16, 2018 —
The scholar and writer launched a Kickstarter campaign to support the production of new episodes of her web series.
Dr. Yaba Blay lifted up the multifaceted ways in which Black women and girls celebrate their greatness, in resistance to structural racism and patriarchy, throughout the first season of her webseries, “Professional Black Girl.” Following a first season—whose episodes profiled women like #MeToo creator Tarana Burke, hip-hop artist Rapsody and Colorlines editorial director Akiba Solomon—Blay is looking to crowdfunding support to help her bring back the show for another season.
“I’ve been dreaming about what season two might look like, and thinking about how to move the project forward,” Blay explains in the above promotional video for her Kickstarter campaign, which she launched yesterday (January 15). As it turns out, she found the answer in her hometown of New Orleans, which she describes as “without question, the Blackest city in the United States of America.”
She says in the project description on the Kickstarter page that the second season will be the first of many centered in different cities and countries, as she investigates how Black women around the world embody their identities. To that end, the next season will profile 12 Crescent City natives while introducing audiences to different parts of the city and exploring its evolving Black communities.
Money raised will primarily go toward production costs, including videography, travel, hair and makeup. The campaign has already raised more than $11,000 of its $25,000 goal as of press time. It will end on February 13, or Mardi Gras, and the project will only receive the funds if it reaches the goal. Those who donate can receive a range of prizes, including an official Professional Black Girl playlist from producer 9th Wonder, a commemorative shirt and a special premiere event in New Orleans. Visit the Kickstarter page to learn more.
