Streaming the Truth
”Kweli” is Swahili for truth
A few nights ago I was lucky enough to have been invited to dinner to hear about a new platform that focuses on films from the African Diaspora worldwide. Kweli (pronounced “Quelee” or truth in Swahili) is an interactive streaming platform that shares the African Diaspora experience through dope, undiscovered documentaries, films, web shows, children’s programming, and news. Now available on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Google Play, and Apple TV it's founder DeShuna Spencer is all about bringing people together with the power of cinema for everyone to see.
Having DeShuna there to talk to us about the progress of her company was incredible. To hear her tell her story about how she created her company to local Bay Area artists and investors sparked a conversation about the future of media and how people of color can make a huge impact on this market was inspiring. After hearing how she brought her idea into fruition I was compelled to help her spread the word and reach as many potential subscribers and content creators as possible to help grow Kweli to reach greater heights. I wanted to make sure that there was another platform where the gatekeepers have an invested interest in making sure that the Black image across the world is held to a higher standard and equally diverse to show the many facets of the African Diaspora.
These budding media moguls from L to R Shirah Dedman, Kweli founder DeShuna Spencer and Maria Judice
The Mission of Kweli is simple. It is..." to curate and create content that is a true reflection of the global black experience versus what we may sometimes see in mainstream media. Through our collective content, we hope to share the African Diaspora experience with all!"
The inspiration for kweliTV came one evening while DeShuna was flipping through what felt like 100 cable channels back in 2012. " I was frustrated with the same tired stereotypes, lack of diversity in TV shows and movies as well as the few choices of content that focused on issues important to me."
This group shot is comprised of a lot of financiers, curators, filmmakers and artists that have come together to learn more about this new streaming platform.
A low key dinner amongst artists with one of our fearless leaders, Maria (upper left), talking to us about why she brought us together.
Currently DeShuna is pitching to major investors around the country to raise additional capital for Kweli. She has won various pitch competitions, but as always she has a ways to go. Content creators are actually seeing revenue come to them and their subscribers are happy with the service, which makes this site something to keep an eye on. Below is a link of DeShuna talking to reporters at the New York Stock Exchange about the need of curating filmmakers of color. I'm definitely going to subscribe and so should you!