CELEBRITY

Yara Shahidi and Mom To Create ABC Signature Series Based On Novel ‘Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World’

Yara Shahidi and her mom, Keri Shahidi, have revealed that they're working on an upcoming ABC Signature series based on the novel Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World by Cole Brown.
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Yara Shahidi and her mom, Keri Shahidi, have revealed that they’re working on an upcoming ABC Signature series based on the novel Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World by Cole Brown. The news comes after the mother-daughter duo announced their new ABC production company, 7th Sun Productions, back in July. In January, they announced their first 7th Sun Productions project, Smoakland, which will air on Freeform.

Most known for her roles in Black-ish and Grown-ish, Yara also uses her platform to speak on social justice issues. She’s been vocal about fighting racial injustice and always shares her love for Black novelist James Baldwin. She’s been involved with countless human rights organizations and is passionate about getting young people to vote.

Yara’s activism and push for change make her perfect for producing the series on Brown’s well-received novel. Greyboy: Finding Blackness in a White World focuses on Brown’s struggle to find his place as a Black boy growing up in a white society. Black children who come from wealthy families often feel alienated from their white peers. They also have a hard time relating to their Black peers who grew up in different circumstances.

Yara’s new production deal makes her the youngest producer to work for ABC. It’s a big milestone as both a woman and a person of color. The 21-year-old actress expressed her excitement for the new series on social media, as well as Brown, who is honored to have his work come to ABC. “No duo I’d rather work with to bring Greyboy to life,” he posted. He will also be one of the executive producers of the series.

Fans of Yara and Brown’s novel can’t wait to see how the series turns out, and they’re proud of Yara and her mother for taking on the project. Be sure to look out for the Greyboy series, coming soon to ABC Signature. In the meantime, keep up with Yara on Instagram and look out for season 4 of Growin-ish, airing on Freeform this summer.