Because we’re all we got! Black stories from throughout the US in a new web series.
What Is Our Block?
DEI is officially dead, at least to most power brokers and decision-makers. It’s en vogue to roll back commitments to equity and leave marginalized communities out to dry. In this current environment, Black stories are more important than ever. Black knowledge, Black culture, and Black contributions are more important now than ever.
Our Block is a new web series that showcases Black stories and Black-owned businesses through an intimate look at communities throughout the U.S. Episodes will explore places such as Richmond (VA), Baltimore (MD), and Oakland (CA), bringing in local voices to uncover what makes each place so special. By exploring food, fashion, activism, music, and more through a Black lens, Our Block fills a gap in our current media environment where Black people create the culture but are often not main characters. Our Block will explore Black stories as a through line, but also seeks to incorporate other marginalized voices in the communities it explores as well.
Who Are We?
We’re a collective of storytellers, entrepreneurs, and producers.
Show host Anela Malik is an award-winning influencer, videographer, host, and writer who focuses on embracing nuance, imperfection, and joy on her digital platform Feed The Malik. Anela’s work explores topics ranging from the role of food in our lives and relationships to cultural expectations related to dining and travel, with a particular emphasis on the Black diaspora, Black-owned businesses, and Black stories. Anela’s book, American Soul: A Black History of Food in the United States, will be published by National Geographic in September 2025.
Michael Johnson, the creator of Our Block, is an award-winning producer and director with an extensive background in film and television. He has worked with major networks such as BET, FOX, Google, HGTV, and CBS. Inspired by his upbringing near Philadelphia and his education at Hampton University and the University of Southern California Film School, Michael set out to create content that reflects the communities that shaped his artistic journey. His dedication culminated in the creation of Our Block, a vibrant celebration of Black excellence.
With over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Carl has established himself as a trusted advisor to many clients. Currently, as the managing partner of Three Olive Media Advisors, Carl represents a variety of clients, including production companies, on-screen talent, content creators, music streaming services and other creatives. Prior to Three Olive, in 2011, he accepted a position as Vice President of business and legal affairs at Discovery Inc., initially overseeing talent and production negotiations for Discovery Channel. Over the span of his 12 years at Discovery, he transitioned to a solely business affairs role, rose to the position of Group Vice President and expanded his oversight to several additional Discovery networks, such as Animal Planet, Science Channel and TLC.
What We Need
We are seeking $110,000 to fund our first season (12 episodes). This estimate includes:
- Production costs from pre to post: location scouting, guest coordination, pre-interviews, scripting, filming coordination, editing, etc…
- Hotels: Assuming a 6-week shooting schedule in 12 cities total. Two rooms (host and production).
- Travel costs: For production and host.
- Episode inclusions: Food, activities, venues, and other activities included in show episodes.
- Host and EP Rate: For hosting, on-camera work, episode production, and show promo once released.
- A second shooter/assistant: Primarily to capture social content and behind-the-scenes moments, and also to help with b-roll capture. Travel costs, day rate, etc…
Risks & Challenges
We’ve shopped this show concept around to networks such as Netflix and OWN, and their general feedback was: we love the idea and Anela as a host, but we’re not funding shows like this at the moment…
It was the networks who suggested this show would thrive as a web series. That led us here.
The show’s topic is niche, which does pose a risk as far as not finding a broader audience (which is necessary to continue past season one).
However, Anela’s experience showcasing Black stories on her platform also demonstrates that audience desire for this type of programming definitely exists. Feed The Malik has reached more than 30 million people with Black-centric storytelling alone, solo shooting with just a phone and a point-and-shoot vlogging camera, with an extremely tight budget.
Our Block will mitigate the risk of narrow audience adoption by utilizing Feed The Malik’s pre-existing audience through strategies like posting collaboratively on show and Feed The Malik-owned channels, engaging a broad audience throughout the crowdfunding and production process, and collaborating with creators and decision-makers who live in the communities we are exploring. In addition, by bringing in an experienced team to help film and produce, Our Block will deliver episodes and storytelling that are a step up from the content and storytelling typically shared by independent creators.
In addition, to mitigate risks associated with a shortfall in funding, Our Block is also actively pitching and seeking corporate and destination sponsors, drawing on pre-existing business relationships among our collective.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can’t contribute financially, please:
Disclaimer: Contributions to IDONTNEEDMUCH LLC hereunder, are donations intended to support the production and distribution of “Our Block”. Donations do not entitle contributors to ownership, profits, or financial returns. While we will make every effort to complete the project, circumstances beyond our control may impact the production and distribution of the project. Contributions are not tax-deductible unless otherwise noted. Personal information collected will only be used for communication related to this campaign and will not be shared with third parties.