As Black parents, we all want our kids to see themselves represented on screen. For Black families, finding TV shows that not only entertain but also uplift our culture and values can be a little tricky. Fortunately, there are some amazing Black children’s shows out there that celebrate our heritage, highlight diversity, and help our kids grow up with a strong sense of identity. Whether you’re looking for something to bond over during family time or a new show for your little ones to fall in love with, I’ve got you covered!
Why Representation Matters
For Black children, seeing themselves in the media is more than just fun—it’s empowering. Representation on TV helps build confidence and shows our kids that they belong in all spaces. These programs not only show them characters who look like them but also tackle topics like friendship, leadership, creativity, and self-love.
Now, let’s dive into some of the best Black children’s shows that deserve a spot on your family’s watchlist!
1. Doc McStuffins
Streaming on: Disney Channel
You can’t talk about Black children’s shows without mentioning Doc McStuffins. The show follows a little Black girl named Doc who dreams of becoming a doctor like her mom. In the meantime, she “fixes” toys with the help of her stuffed animal friends. This series is perfect for kids 3-7 and teaches them about compassion, problem-solving, and the value of caring for others. Talk about #BlackGirlMagic and #BlackBoyJoy rolled into one show!
2. Karma’s World
Streaming on: Netflix
Karma’s World, created by rapper Ludacris (yes that Ludacris!), is one of the newer shows on the scene. It follows Karma, a 10-year-old Black girl with big dreams of becoming a rapper. Each episode dives into Karma’s life as she tackles important lessons from self-expression to embracing her cultural identity and learning important life lessons about kindness, empathy, and resilience.
3. Motown Magic
Streaming on: Netflix
Motown Magic is a vibrant animation series that takes its inspiration from the classic hits of Motown. The show follows Ben, a Black boy with a magic paintbrush that brings the world around him to life. Each episode has positive messages about friendship, teamwork, and creativity—all set to the iconic sounds of legends like Marvin Gaye and The Jackson 5.
4. Craig of the Creek
Streaming on: HBO Max, Cartoon Network
Craig of the Creek follows Craig, a curious and imaginative Black boy, as he explores the creek near his home with his best friends. The show captures the essence of childhood freedom while emphasizing community, problem-solving, and creativity. Craig of the Creek is an exceptional animated series that provides positive representation, promotes friendship and inclusivity, and sparks the imagination of young viewers. It’s the kind of show that kids can enjoy for the adventure and humor, while parents appreciate the wholesome values and cultural richness it brings. For Black families, it’s especially wonderful to have a character like Craig, who feels like a real, relatable kid just enjoying life and learning along the way.
5. The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder
Streaming on: Disney+
A reboot of the early 2000s hit cartoon series The Proud Family, this show brings Penny Proud and her family back for new adventures. Tackling family dynamics, Black culture, and social issues, it’s a perfect pick for tweens and teens.
6. Young Love
Streaming on: HBO Max
Young Love is based on the short film Hair Love and follows the Young family—Zuri, her dad Stephen, and her mom Angela—as they navigate the challenges of life, love, and parenting. With Black family dynamics at its core, this show is a fresh and heartwarming addition to any family’s watchlist.
7. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur
Streaming on: Disney+
Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur features Lunella Lafayette, a 13-year-old Black girl who is also one of the smartest superheroes in the Marvel Universe. With her pet dinosaur, Lunella fights evil while balancing life as a teen in New York. It’s a fun and empowering show for kids who love adventure and STEM.
8. Lyla in the Loop
Streaming on: PBS Kids
This educational series stars Lyla, a smart and curious Black girl who loves solving everyday problems. With each episode, she explores science, technology, and real-world issues, making this show a great option for young kids who are curious about the world around them.
9. Iwaju
Streaming on: Disney+
Set in a futuristic version of Lagos, Iwaju is an Afro-futuristic show that focuses on exploring class, technology, and the impact of tradition versus modernization. It’s exciting to see African culture brought to life in such a vibrant, forward-thinking way that’s perfect for tweens and teens.
10. Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes
Streaming on: Disney Junior
Kiya and the Kimoja Heroes follows Kiya, a 7-year-old Black girl who leads her friends in protecting her community. With the power of dance, martial arts, and teamwork, Kiya teaches young viewers about courage, leadership, and standing up for what’s right.
11. Supa Team 4
Streaming on: Netflix
Supa Team 4 is Netflix’s first African animated series, and it’s already making waves. Set in Lusaka, Zambia, the show features four Black teenage girls who are recruited to save the world as secret agents. It’s full of action, heart, and African culture, making it a great pick for older kids and teens.
12. Jools TV
Streaming on: YouTube
Jools TV is a family-led YouTube channel offering animated content featuring diverse Black characters and positive messages for kids. The channel promotes healthy values like family love, friendship, and self-confidence, all wrapped up in fun, colorful storytelling.
13. Gracie’s Corner
Streaming on: YouTube
Gracie’s Corner has become a favorite among Black families for its catchy songs, fun educational content, and beautiful representation of Black culture. This YouTube series takes classic nursery rhymes and puts a modern twist on them, with upbeat music and lessons about numbers, letters, and social-emotional learning.
14. Ada Twist, Scientist
Streaming on: Netflix
Ada Twist, Scientist follows a young Black girl with an insatiable curiosity for science and discovery. Ada and her friends use STEM to explore the world around them, solving problems and coming up with inventive ideas. It’s an empowering show for children who love to learn and think outside the box.
15. OmoBerry
Streaming on: YouTube
OmoBerry is a delightful YouTube channel featuring a Nigerian family that creates animations focused on African culture and storytelling. It’s perfect for teaching kids about African traditions while also fostering a strong connection to cultural roots. The vibrant colors, catchy music, and meaningful lessons make it a hit for young viewers. This Black children’s show has curriculum-based episodes and songs that cover topics related to STEM learning, cross-cultural experiences, prosocial skill development, character development, and self-esteem building.
16. Akili and Me
Streaming on: YouTube
Akili and Me is an educational show that hails from East Africa, designed to teach children foundational skills like reading, counting, and language. With bright colors, songs, and African-inspired designs, the show engages kids while encouraging a love of learning.
17. Bino and Fino
Streaming on: YouTube
A fun and educational animated series, Bino and Fino teaches kids about African history and culture through the adventures of siblings Bino and Fino. It’s perfect for preschoolers and introduces African languages, folklore, and traditions in an engaging way.
18. JoJo & Gran Gran
Streaming on: BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Nick Jr./Noggin
This adorable show features JoJo, a little Black girl, and her loving grandmother, Gran Gran, who teach her important life lessons about family, heritage, and understanding the world around her. The show beautifully represents the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren in Black families.
19. Rise Up, Sing Out
Streaming on: Disney+
Produced by The Roots, Rise Up, Sing Out is a musical animated series that empowers Black children by tackling issues like race, identity, and social justice through catchy tunes. With its powerful messages and engaging format, it’s a great show to help spark important conversations in a kid-friendly way.
20. Super Sema
Streaming on: YouTube
Created by Superstar Lupita Nyong’o and the Kukua team, Super Sema is part of a larger mission to inspire African children (and children globally) to embrace technology and see themselves as future innovators. The show has garnered praise for being one of the few animated series aimed at empowering African children through positive representation in media.
By blending African culture with STEM topics and storytelling, Super Sema encourages kids to dream big, problem-solve, and embrace the power of knowledge.
Why You Should Watch These Shows With Your Kids
Watching these shows with your kids is more than just entertainment—it’s a way to start meaningful conversations about identity, culture, and values. Representation on screen helps children develop a positive self-image and boosts their confidence in who they are.
It should be noted that having diverse and inclusive characters is beneficial to ALL children, not just Black children. However I absolutely love to see the looks on my kids faces when they see books and tv shows that features Black characters. Having Black characters opens up necessary dialogue between parents and children. And it provides an opportunity for learning and growth.
Here are a few ways to engage your kids while watching:
Ask questions: How do they relate to the characters? What lessons did they learn from the episode?
Celebrate the culture: Dance to the music, talk about cultural moments, and connect the shows to real-life Black experiences.
Create family rituals: Make watching these shows a part of your family routine. It’s a great way to bond and share quality time together.
When our kids see themselves on screen, it sends a powerful message that they matter. These Black children’s shows not only provide positive representation but also offer life lessons and memorable stories that resonate with the entire family. Whether your little ones are discovering new interests or connecting with their cultural roots, these programs will inspire them to embrace who they are with confidence and pride.
Throwback Alert: Shows We Loved
Remember these classics?
The Proud Family: Penny and her crew were the epitome of Black teen life.
Tiny Toon Adventures: Baby sized versions of our favorite characters? Yes, please!
Rugrats: Who didn’t love Tommy Pickles and his crew of misfits babies?
Why These Shows Hit Different
These aren’t just cartoons, y’all. They’re windows into our world, showing:
- Black families supporting each other
- Our music, our style, our humor
- Black youth being smart, brave, and creative
- Tackling real issues our community faces
What shows are your little ones loving right now? Drop a comment below and share the joy! And hey, if you know a show that’s not on this list but should be, let me know. We’re all in this parenting journey together, and sharing resources is what we do best.
Remember, every time we turn on these shows, we’re telling our kids, “You’re seen. You’re heard. You’re important.” And that, family, is priceless.
So, next family TV night, why not dive into one of these gems? Your kids will thank you, and who knows? You might find yourself just as hooked!
Keep shining, keep loving, and keep celebrating our beautiful Black children.
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