We don’t have to explain why our stories should be told by our people, especially when there’s no shortage of incredible Black filmmakers, directors, and writers already doing the work. Behind just about every one of them is a media company — be it focused on production, distribution, development, or otherwise — helping bring those stories to life.
There are absolute legends like Spike Lee and Monty Ross, whose 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks helped bring us Malcolm X and Do the Right Thing. You also have modern-day pioneers like Issa Rae, who delivered the dearly missed “Insecure” through Hoorae, as well as Ryan Coogler, the powerhouse behind Sinners, Creed III, and a plethora of other Proximity Media-produced films. While we’re at it, even former President Barack Obama and NBA greats like LeBron James have joined the party.
Without further ado, scroll through 14 Black-owned media companies shaping the entertainment industry one film or television series at a time (in no particular order).
1. Issa Rae’s Hoorae
Issa Rae is really that girl. Her media production company, Hoorae, has developed and produced projects such as “Rap Sh!t,” One of Them Days, and perhaps most importantly, “Insecure.” Of course, the company also houses her music and podcast platform Raedio, as well as ColorCreative, which has worked with the likes of Sanaa Lathan and our very own Lynae Vanee.
2. Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions
Get Out, Us, Candyman — the list of projects Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions has worked on really does go on and on. The Emmy-winning director launched the company in 2012 and has since turned it into a powerhouse in the horror genre, even more so after inking a five-year deal with Universal in 2019.
3. Tyler Perry’s Tyler Perry Studios
Tyler Perry’s name carries more weight than anything we could ever say about his trailblazing career, which we can only assume is why he named his production company Tyler Perry Studios. In addition to owning one of the largest production facilities in the country after purchasing a 330-acre property in Atlanta in 2015, the media mogul’s eponymous studio is responsible for Why Did I Get Married?, Daddy’s Little Girls, and basically anything involving Madea or the filmmaker himself.
4. Spike Lee and Monty Ross’ 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks
If there was one major Black-owned media company that walked so others could run, it's 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks. Technically the oldest of the bunch we mention on this list, 40 Acres was founded by Spike Lee and Monty Ross in 1979 before helping bring films like 1989’s Do the Right Thing, 1992’s Malcolm X, and 2025’s Highest 2 Lowest to the big screen.
5. Ryan and Zinzi Coogler’s Proximity Media
Ryan Coogler’s Proximity, which he co-founded with his wife, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian, has worked on several projects that went on to earn millions, if not billions, at the box office. Following the enormous success of 2018’s Black Panther, the company has had a hand in Sinners, Creed III, Judas and the Black Messiah, and Space Jam: A New Legacy.
6. Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY
What do 13th, Selma, The White Tiger, and shows like “Naomi” and "When They See Us" all have in common? Ava DuVernay’s ARRAY ecosystem has had a hand in every one, whether through the legendary filmmaker directing them or the company distributing them on streaming giants like Netflix.
7. Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground
The Obamas launching their own media company definitely might not have been on many people's bingo cards, though it’s not all that shocking considering Barack’s years in public office and Michelle’s later success with “The Michelle Obama Podcast” and “IMO.” Its catalog includes the Colman Domingo-starring Rustin among a plethora of other films, in addition to several podcasts.
8. Kenya Barris’ Khalabo Ink Society
Kenya Barris, who became vice chair of our very own REVOLT Labs in 2026, has built quite the résumé through Khalabo Ink Society. The company has “black-ish,” You People, and Girls Trip all under its belt. If that isn’t iconic, we don’t know what is!
9. LeBron James and Maverick Carter’s The SpringHill Company
Yes, LeBron James may have spent most of his career balancing one of the greatest runs in NBA history, fatherhood, and stakes in a few other sports teams, but SpringHill Company may just be one of his most exciting ventures off the court. Co-founded with Maverick Carter, the company has largely produced sports documentaries and films like What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali and Black Ice. We’d be remiss not to mention that his barbershop conversation series “The Shop” also sits under that legendary banner. In 2024, SpringHill merged with British company Fulwell 73 to become Fulwell Entertainment, placing Carter as co-CEO with London-based producer Leo Pearlman. So, although the executive helm has changed a bit, we honor its roots as a Black-owned company!
10. Charles D. King’s MACRO
MACRO’s contributions to Black entertainment include the Denzel Washington-led Roman J. Israel, Esq., Nas-directed docuseries “Supreme Team,” Michael B. Jordan’s Just Mercy, plus many more. While several of the aforementioned companies have operated under major platform deals, leaving them less freedom to shop projects elsewhere, MACRO has placed films and TV series on Apple TV+, Tubi, Roku, Showtime, Netflix, and HBO.
11. Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat
While just about every Kevin Hart film from the late 2010s has Hartbeat involved somewhere in the process — which is definitely no small number if you’ve seen his résumé — the media company has also empowered plenty of Black women comedy writers. Through its partnership with the Sundance Institute, the Women Write Now initiative has helped bring short films like Hey Boo and Black Karen to life. The studio has also produced BET’s “Couch Critics,” “Cold as Balls,” and “Hart 2 Hart,” along with the action-comedy series “Die Hart.”
12. Viola Davis and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions
When it comes to film, Viola Davis and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions has box-office hits like The Woman King, Troop Zero, and G20 under its belt. Outside of those, though, we might argue that “The First Lady” is one of its more memorable works, thanks in no small part to the EGOT winner’s portrayal of Michelle Obama. We can’t wait to see what comes out of the studio next.
13. Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland
What more is there to say about Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland when the ubiquitous “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Bridgerton” are among the many shows it has produced? Fans of “How to Get Away with Murder” and “The Catch” can thank the company for those ABC favorites too.
14. 50 Cent’s G-Unit Films and Television Inc.
There’s no such thing as downtime for 50 Cent. After already blessing us with album after album of hits, he expanded into television through G-Unit Film and Television Inc., which has helped bring us the beloved “Power” franchise, “The Oath,” and “BMF.” You simply can’t outwork him!