There are many spaces that attempt to prevent Black women from thriving and the comedy industry is no different. However, with Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat — the multi-platform media company founded by the Philadelphia comedian — that’s not the case. In May, the company announced the return of its Women Write Now comedic screenwriting fellowship, which is on a mission to champion the next generation of Black women through advocacy, exhibition, mentorship, and production. The company’s CEO, Thai Randolph, led the most recent funding round, which totaled $100 million, and is excited to play a role in helping to greenlight projects led by women who look like her. “This program really has been a labor of love, but also, a real point of both passion and purpose,” Randolph told AfroTech in an exclusive interview. “The whole founding insight for the program was a very clear observation and experience that there are not enough Black women in the seat to greenlight things, which I am now. And, so,...

Kevin Hart has officially inked a film deal with streaming giant Netflix. The comedian-turned-actor-turned-producer inked a first-look film production deal with the streamer under his HartBeat Productions banner, and is kicking off the new partnership with four Netflix-exclusive films which he will star in and produce, Shadow and Act reports. Hart expressed his excitement for the new deal in a statement, stating that “partnering with Netflix is an amazing opportunity for HartBeat and myself.” “I am excited to act in and produce cutting edge films with Netflix. I am extremely grateful to Ted Sarandos and Scott Stuber, we share the same creative vision and always put the audience first,” he continued. “This business is about growth and my HartBeat team continues to exceed my expectations with their ability to develop stories and relationships. Our goal is to make the HartBeat name synonymous with first-class entertainment and narratives.” Scott Stuber — head of original films at...