Gracie's Corner
| Gracie's Corner | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Children's television series |
| Created by | Javoris Hollingsworth, Arlene Gordon-Hollingsworth, and Victor Emerenini |
| Starring | Graceyn Hollingsworth |
| Original release | |
| Network | YouTube |
| Release | 2021 – present |
Gracie's Corner is a children's cartoon series featuring Gracie, a young Black girl singing songs. The series is hosted on Youtube.
Creation
[edit]During the COVID-19 pandemic, professors Javoris Hollingsworth and Arlene Gordon-Hollingsworth noticed there was lack of racial diversity in young children's entertainment, especially for children under six.[1][2][3][4] Their daughter Graceyn wanted to start a Youtube Channel, and out of caution for her online safety, Javoris and Arlene decided to make an animated program.[5]
Hollignsworth had been working as an organic chemistry professor, but left his job in order to write for and produce the program.[6] He also writes the music, with a focus on making songs that are similar to what the children might hear in the car with their parents.[1] Some of the ideas for content come from Gordon-Hollingsworth, a psychologist.[6] Graceyn Hollingsworth voices Gracie.[1]
The Hollingsworths found an animator, Victor Emerenini, through a free-lance website.[1]
Program
[edit]Gracie's corner features "culturally relevant remixes to old time nursery rhymes" and new songs.[7]
Several of the videos draw from Black culture. For example, in "The Phonics Song," Gracie wears an ancient Egyptian sheath dress, and in "Count to 100" she wears a full HBCU marching band uniform.[1] "Bingo (Second Line Remix)" features a New Orleans-style Second line.[6]
Musicians such as Snoop Dogg and Big Freedia have appeared on the program.[1]
Awards
[edit]- 2025: Nominations, NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Children's Program, Animated Series, and Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)[8]
- 2024: The 50 Most Powerful Players in Kids Entertainment, Hollywood Reporter[9]
- 2024: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children's Program[10]
- 2023: Nomination, NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Amimated Series[2]
- 2023: Nomination, Favorite Female Creator, Kids' Choice Awards[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Penrice, Ronda Racha (2024-08-16). "How 'Gracie's Corner' Brought Black Rhythms to Preschool Content, With Help From Snoop Dogg and Big Freedia". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ^ a b "LSU alums imbue teaching with the spirit of song and science". www.lsu.edu. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ^ Butler, Berthonie (January 3, 2024). "Gracie's Corner became must-see TV for children everywhere".
- ^ Harris, Raquel "Rocky". "Family Behind Hit YouTube Children's Series 'Gracie's Corner' Says Longer Form Videos Are 'In The Works'". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ^ "Meet The Real Family Behind Gracie's Corner". Essence. 2024-07-08. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ^ a b c "'Gracie's Corner' Creator Says This Is Just the Beginning". Parents. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ^ "Gracie on the Yard: University Ed Tech Researchers and Gracie's Corner Creators Talk Black Edutainment". The Dig at Howard University. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ^ Jackson, Angelique (2025-01-07). "NAACP Image Awards: Ayo Edebiri, Keke Palmer, GloRilla, 'The Piano Lesson' and 'Fight Night' Lead Nominations". Variety. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ^ Editor, Julian Sancton (2024-08-15). "The 50 Most Powerful Players in Kids Entertainment". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (2024-03-13). "NAACP Image Awards: Issa Rae, Leslie Jones Among Night 2 Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-02-10.
- ^ "On the Heels of Being Nominated for Outstanding Animated Series at the 54th Annual NAACP Image Awards, Gracie's Corner TV has been Nominated for Favorite Female Creator at the 2023 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards". www.prnewswire.com. February 1, 2023. Retrieved 2025-02-10.