INTERVIEW: The Truth is in the Content

KweliTV founder DeShuna Spencer’s Vision

Streaming platforms are great alternatives to cable and network tv and offer a wider variety of programming than traditional television. There are a few streaming services that aren’t only Black-owned, they offer stellar afro-centric shows. Black on Purpose Television, American Legacy Network, Brown Sugar and Nollyland all offer prime documentaries, specials and movies that broadcast complex portrayals of African American and Diaspora life. One of the strongest platforms in this arena is KweliTV, which launched a couple of years ago and has Memphis-born serial entrepreneur DeShuna Spencer at its helm.

DeShuna originally founded Liu Karama Productions LLS, which umbrellaed emPower Magazine and 89.3 FM’s (WPFW) emPower Hour (https://player.fm/series/wpfw-empower-hour), two entities that addressed human and civil rights and social justice issues regarding people of color. DeShuna’s bedrock of ideals has been based on strengthening and promoting positive, honest global images of black people. With KweliTV, she gets to do just that.

bfm: What does “Kweli” mean?

DeShuna Spencer: It means “truth” in Swahili. My vision for the platform is to curate content that's a true reflection of the Black experience.

bfm: What was the catalyst for starting the platform?

DeShuna Spencer: In 2014, I won a pitch competition for journalists of color sponsored by NewU and the Ford Foundation. There were 10 finalists. I won $20,000, along with a Hispanic journalist

bfm: How did you get the money to start KweliTV?

DeShuna Spencer: Frustration. I wanted to see more diverse content. Indie films and material by smaller filmmakers.

bfm: What are you looking for when you select content for your platform?

DeShuna Spencer: There are three main factors. The content has to have been in a film festival. Second, it has to have a lead character of African descent. Third, the characters can't be stereotypes or overly negative. We change our line-up of programs every week or every other week. Of the 300 titles we have, only four haven't been from a festival!

bfm: Where do you see the company in five years?

DeShuna Spencer: I'd like to have more events outside the U.S. and start creating original content.

bfm: Who would you say is an inspiration to you?

DeShuna Spencer: Cathy Hughes ! She struggled but managed to make it work. I really admire her. She survived a lot to get to where she is. Also, Ida B. Wells, who was from Memphis.

bfm: What do you like to watch?

DeShuna Spencer: I like history shows, but I find many of the channels recycle the same stories. I really like Donald Glover's Atlanta.

bfm: What are your favorite festivals to attend?

DeShuna Spencer: I don't travel to many festivals, that can be very expensive. We have a database of festivals. Once one has ended, we know and check out their films.

bfm: You used to host emPower Hour. Can you talk a little bit about that? Any memorable moments?

DeShuna Spencer: I ended up stepping down because of scheduling conflicts. We covered social justice issues. One of the most moving and learning moments for me was covering the Baltimore unrest. It was interesting to see how the media portrayed Baltimore culture. I also spoke about Prince 30 minutes after he passed. That was very moving.

bfm: Do you like documentaries?

DeShuna Spencer: Those are my focus when I look for content. When I was first starting KweliTV, I was told Black people don't watch documentaries. Of course, that's not true. I've made educational documentaries a focus of KweliTV since its inception.

bfm: Do you ever hold competitions looking for material?

DeShuna Spencer: A few years back I had a competition with Ebony Magazine. It was called the Color TV Rules (https://www.ebony.com/news/color-tv-rules/). We'd have contestants submit a scene based on a theme and do an article in Ebony about the winner. Then, we’d get them a distribution deal.

bfm: How do you think streaming platforms have influenced African American content?

DeShuna Spencer: Just five years ago, cable and big networks used to have a monopoly on content. Streaming is the new kid on the block. it's a whole new world for content.

KweliTV streams a varied collection of undiscovered, award-winning indie films, documentaries, web series & kids shows celebrating global black culture.