Issa Rae Explores the History of Black Representation in Television

Award-winning actor, producer, and writer Issa Rae is pulling back the curtain on the struggles and triumphs of Black creatives in television. Her latest project, Seen and Heard: The History of Black Television, is a two-part documentary series that dives into how Black artists reshaped the industry while breaking barriers and confronting systemic exclusion.

From the groundbreaking sitcoms of the 1970s to today’s streaming hits, Rae’s documentary examines both the progress made and the persistent challenges of telling authentic Black stories on screen. She says her inspiration came from her own journey in Hollywood, where she often felt the tension between creating unapologetically Black narratives and navigating an industry slow to embrace them.

“Black television has always been about more than entertainment—it’s about visibility, culture, and power,” Rae explains in the film. Seen and Heard not only honors the pioneers who paved the way but also amplifies the voices of the next generation of creators pushing for equity, representation, and control of their narratives.