Disney+ Deets latest episode The Proud Family puts Black women in the spotlight

In a male-dominated industry, it’s great to finally see women get their props. Especially Black women, who just so happened to be behind Disney’s highest-rated animated series, The Proud Family.  Black History Month has come and gone and Women’s History Month is coming to an end, but that isn’t stopping Disney Plus from celebrating black stories.  With a The Proud Family revival on the way, it’s a good time to look at how it’s bringing social issues to the forefront.

Monday, March 29, 2021, kicks off #BlackHistoryAlways content with an episode of Disney +Deets focusing on The Proud Family.  This will continue every month on the 29th.  The content will be added to Disney Plus’s YouTube channel as a part of their “Celebrate Black Stories” collection.

Unapologetically Black, the fan-favorite series featured a diverse cast and tackled issues ranging from LGBTQ characters, body positivity, bullying, and women’s empowerment.  Without the talented women behind the scenes of The Proud Family, none of this would’ve come to the forefront, which is why we’re so excited for the revival!

While we wait Here are some fun things about the crew behind The Proud Family.

Kyla Pratt found her voice on The Proud Family

Hating the sound of your voice is something everyone relates to.  After all, the voice in our heads is different from how we actually sound.  Kyla Pratt hated her voice so much but credits her role in The Proud Family as to what helped her love it. Nagging the gig at just 14 years old Pratt says the series helped mold her into a young black woman.

No one is more excited for the Disney Plus revival than the voice of Penny Proud.  During a recent interview with Buzzfeed, Pratt stated, “I had to sign on because nobody else was about to be running around being Penny Proud. It was gonna be a problem. OK? [Laughs] No, I had to sign on,” she joked.

The theme song was an anthem for little Black girls

Family is great, but it’s not always great dealing with them.  In the theme song, we hear Solange Knowles belt out encouraging words.  We may not always get along but you can always be yourself and have someone to count on when times get hard.

Not only was it an anthem for young girls, but it was also the singer’s debut song, was co-produced by her big sister Beyonce, and featured background from Destiny’s Child.

Suga Mama is real and the cameos were iconic!

Well not exactly.  Her character share’s the nickname with co-creator Bruce W. Smith’s real-life mother.  Not wanting to be called grandma Snith’s mother took the nickname Suga and added Mma.  Not seeing shows that were relatable to his family, Bruce W. Smith made the show based on some of his real-life experiences, which is one of the main reasons the show’s always been so relatable.

And the cameos were iconic.  With cameos from Mariah Carey, Raven Symone, Monique, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Solange Knowles, and the late Cisely Tyson.  The revival is sure to add more names to the roster, and we can’t wait to see who they’ll be.

Doreen Spicer-Dannelly let her creativity loose

The series opened the door for many Black writers and animators.  Co-creator and series writer Doreen Spicer-Dannelly’s first writing credit was Martin so it made sense to bring her talents to The Proud Family.  One of the show’s most notable episodes “Who You Callin’ a Sissy? ” tackled homophobia head-on. Headstrong Penny Proud showed her friend Michael how to defend himself after being called a homophobic slur.   Since then sis has perfected her craft, co-writing Disney’s Jump In! starring Corbin Bleau.  Her latest project is 2018’s Motown Magic.

Are you as excited as we are for the Proud Family revival?