Rewriting The Script: How Black Millennial Streaming Executives Are Centering Ownership In Film

Forbes

29-04-2025

Devin White of Blacktivity and Chanel Nicole Scott of In The Black Network
The entertainment industry has long profited from Black creativity without investing in Black creators. But a new class of millennial media executives is working to disrupt that dynamic—this time, on their own terms.
Devin White, co-founder of the streaming and creative ecosystem Blacktivity, and Chanel Nicole Scott, CMO of In The Black Network, are leading the charge. From content licensing and compensation to strategic partnerships and platform design, both are reshaping the business of storytelling with equity at the center.
'Blacktivity was born from frustration—but also imagination,' said White. 'We're building a space that gives more than it takes. That means curating authentic stories, compensating our creatives fairly, and fostering a community where Black and BIPOC artists can grow—without having to pay to be in the room.'
Founded in 2024, Blacktivity offers an intentional alternative to traditional streaming models. It operates as a nonprofit and gives creators a 50/50 revenue split for non-exclusive content and 60/40 for exclusive deals—figures that sharply contrast with industry norms, where creators often relinquish ownership for limited exposure. Payouts are distributed quarterly, and agreements are capped at three years to protect creator autonomy.
But Blacktivity is more than just a platform. It's also an incubator, offering monthly masterclasses, networking events, and soon, micro-grants. 'We don't just distribute films—we build a community,' White emphasized. 'We know our creators. We talk to them. And we're investing our revenue right back into them.'
Similarly mission-driven, In The Black Network is a hybrid AVOD/TVOD platform co-founded by entertainment veteran James DuBose and co-owned by Scott, who also serves as the brand's Chief Marketing Officer. Since its 2023 launch, the platform has secured distribution on Apple TV, Roku, Samsung, and most recently, Vizio.
'Our model is designed to empower content creators—especially Black creators—to maintain ownership,' Scott explained. 'We're not in the business of telling creators what their story should be. We want them to come with a finished product, and we help them amplify it.'
The platform's approach requires creators to have skin in the game: they fund their productions independently and then enter licensing agreements with In The Black. Depending on viewership and pricing strategy, creators receive a revenue split based on performance. 'It keeps everyone accountable,' Scott said. 'If the work is strong and the audience shows up, you're compensated fairly.'
That emphasis on creator control marks a major shift from legacy practices—especially for Black talent. According to McKinsey, Black professionals hold less than 6% of executive positions in film and TV, despite making up a significant share of audience viewership. Meanwhile, Nielsen reports that Black audiences consume 35% more streaming content than the general population, often shaping pop culture narratives without seeing proportional returns.
For White and Scott, that gap between cultural influence and economic power is precisely what they're working to close.
'We know that Black viewership drives the culture—and the market,' said White. 'So why shouldn't we benefit from the platforms we help build?'
Both platforms also prioritize storytelling that pushes beyond tropes. 'We're not here to replicate the conflict-heavy, drama-driven formulas,' Scott added. 'We're building a space where our culture is reflected with nuance—where normal Black life, joy, and complexity are just as valuable.'
Still, disrupting an industry comes with challenges. Scott noted that In The Black remains investor-backed and is still on the path to profitability. 'It's a long game. But we've been intentional about bringing in people who believe in our mission—not just the margins.'
For White, the nonprofit structure of Blacktivity has required a bit of convincing among potential funders. 'We've had people question why we're offering such high pay splits,' he said. 'But this is about long-term sustainability for our community. We're not here to extract—we're here to empower.'
As both executives prepare for major milestones—including Blacktivity's June 14th launch event at Baltimore's CFG Arena and the first annual Blacktivity International Film Summit in Barbados this fall—they're clear on the legacy they hope to build.
'Equity, to me, is ownership,' Scott said. 'It's having the power to tell your story, your way—and reap the benefits of it.'
White agrees: 'This isn't just about streaming. It's about shifting the power back to the people who create culture. And we're just getting started.'