Tune In | Netflix Hits with “Strong Black Summer” Lineup

Netflix has a hit lineup for their “Strong Black Summer” programming that includes The Perfect Find (June 23), Survival of the Thickest (July 13), They Cloned Tyrone (July 21), and The Upshaws (Part 4) (August 17).

Netflix gathered a varied mix of rom-com, satire, thrillers, and comedy with storytelling that covers the spectrum of the Black experience. I was recently gifted a variety box of gourmet popcorn…guess what I’m doing this Strong Black Summer!!!

The Perfect Find – Netflix

THE PERFECT FIND (6/23)

Will a forty-year-old woman (Gabrielle Union) with everything on the line – her high-stakes career, ticking biological clock, bank account – risk it all for an intensely lusty secret romance with the one person (Keith Powers) who could destroy her comeback, for good? Overview: After a high-profile firing, Jenna’s fashion career comeback hits a snag when she falls for a charming, much younger coworker – who happens to be her boss’s son. As sparks fly, Jenna must decide if she’ll risk it all on a secret romance.

DIRECTOR: Numa Perrier

WRITER: Leigh Davenport

BASED ON THE NOVEL BY: Tia Williams

PRODUCERS: Glendon Palmer, Gabrielle Union, Jeff Morrone, Codie Elaine Oliver, Tommy Oliver

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Stuart Ford, Miguel A. Palos Jr., Linda McDonough, Holly Shakoor Fleischer, Melissa Jones, Leigh Davenport, and Matthew Myers

CAST: Gabrielle Union, Keith PowersGabrielle Union, Aisha Hinds, DB Woodside, Janet Hubert, Alani “La La” Anthony, and Gina Torres

Survival of the Thickest – Netflix

SURVIVAL OF THE THICKEST (7/13)

Survival of the Thickest centers on Mavis Beaumont (Michelle Buteau). Black, plus-size, and newly single (not by her choice!), Mavis unexpectedly finds herself having to rebuild her life as a struggling stylist. She’s determined to not only survive but thrive with the support of her chosen family, a body-positive attitude, and a cute v-neck with some lip gloss. The scripted comedy is based on Buteau’s acclaimed book of essays.

CREATOR/EXECUTIVE PRODUCER/SHOWRUNNER: Danielle Sanchez-Witzel Executive Producers: Ravi Nandan and Alli Reich for A24, Anne Hong, Mosaic Directors: Kim Nguyen, Linda Mendoza, Amy Aniobi, Kimmy Gatewood

CAST: Michelle Buteau, Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, Liza Treyger, Anissa Felix, Garcelle Beauvais, Taylor Selé, Anthony Michael Lopez, Marouane Zottie, Allan K Washington, Sarah Cooper

THEY CLONED TYRONE – Netflix

THEY CLONED TYRONE (7/21)

A series of eerie events thrusts an unlikely trio (John Boyega, Jamie Foxx, and Teyonah Parris) onto the trail of a nefarious government conspiracy in this pulpy mystery caper.

DIRECTOR: Juel Taylor

WRITTEN BY: Tony Rettenmaier and Juel Taylor

PRODUCERS: Charles D. King, Stephen “Dr.” Love, Tony Rettenmaier, Juel Taylor, Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Mark R. Wright, Kim Roth, Jack Murray, Dana Sano, Monte Lipman

CAST: John Boyega, Teyonah Parris, David Alan Grier, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tamberla Perry, Eric Robinson Jr., with Kiefer Sutherland, and Jamie Foxx.

The Upshaws – Netflix

Bennie Upshaw (Mike Epps), the head of a Black working-class family in Indianapolis, is a charming, well-intentioned mechanic and lifelong mess just trying his best to step up and care for his family — wife Regina (Kim Fields), their two young daughters (Khali Spraggins, Journey Christine) and firstborn son (Jermelle Simon), the teenage son (Diamond Lyons) he fathered with another woman (Gabrielle Dennis) — and tolerate his sardonic sister-in-law (Wanda Sykes), all without a blueprint for success. But the Upshaws are determined to make it work, and make it to the next level, together. In this upcoming part, the Upshaws continue to ride life’s ups and downs, including new jobs, bigger dreams, health struggles and some major life surprises but still hanging on with the love that comes with family.

SHOW CREATORS: Regina Y. Hicks and Wanda Sykes

CAST: Kim Fields, Mike Epps, and Wanda Sykes

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Tags: Gabrielle Union, Jamie Foxx, John Boyega, Keith Powers, Kiefer Sutherland, Kim Fields, Mavis Beaumont, Mike Epps, Strong Black Summer, SURVIVAL OF THE THICKEST, Teyonah Parris, THE PERFECT FIND, THEY CLONED TYRONE, Wanda Sykes

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.