In late 2015, I browsed through the sometimes strange, uncharted corners of YouTube (as I regularly do) – laptop on belly, fingers (middle and pointer) on mousepad, I discovered The Grapevine TV, and haven’t stopped watching since.
To see long-table conversations with numerous intelligent and expressive young black people, discussing topics with such kitchen-table honesty, for me, was a dream realized. This wasn’t that watered-down, you’re-so-articulate, respectability-approved intelligence. The Grapevine TV spoke to issues with an entertaining and unfiltered, with-pulp freshness.
Each episode pushes boundaries; the panelists’ responses are thoughtful, considered, and quite often irreverent. The Grapevine TV gathers a diverse group of black folk and other people of color, showcasing “the culture” with its idiosyncrasies intact, for hundreds of thousands of viewers every month. The Brooklyn-bred, independent production is steadily becoming a digital TV standard for black millennials in the US and abroad, with live shows and tapings in London, South Africa and most recently Ghana (Year of the Return). This month – March 6, 2020 – The Grapevine TV will bring their live show to Brooklyn, NY. I had the pleasure of speaking with show producer Donovan Thompson ahead of their upcoming live show.
Roderick: Thanks for taking the time out to do this interview. Tell me, how did The Grapevine TV get started?
Donovan: Thank you. Yeah, so the show began with its creator Ashley Akunna. Ashley and I actually met while we were working for AOL, I hired her. She came in to assist our Head of Video at the time, she had so many great ideas. Long story short, she saved up her coin and started the show.
Roderick: Interesting. How did you become the producer of The Grapevine TV?
Donovan: Ashley invited me as a guest panelist, and it was so incredible. After the guest spot, I was brought on as a producer. She and I worked so great together, it was a natural thing.
Roderick: That’s so cool. Recently, you took The Grapevine TV to Ghana, for The Year of the Return. Let’s talk about that!
Donovan: Ghana was incredible! A lot of people knew the show. It was like a real-life Wakanda [laughs] – black people from everywhere, the US, UK, all over Africa. Hearing people call out to us in different accents was amazing.
Roderick: [laughs] Real-life Wakanda?
Donovan: Yes! There didn’t seem to be any push to erase blackness. I saw the promotion of dark skin and black culture. It was incredibly elevating for the soul, in a way that I’ve never experienced before. I felt seen as a black man, as a gay black man. I think a lot of dark-skinned people don’t experience that in the States. We got to be our black ass selves in there.
Roderick: That’s beautiful. In regard to art, I find that people tend to admire art and creatives, but not respect them. What’s your experience?
Donovan: We experience that every day. You have to believe in the work. Ashley and I believe in the work we do. I’ve learned to be resilient because you get push back, especially if you’re trying to push culture forward. If it can’t be danced to, or fit into certain narratives, you get ignored.
Roderick: What are some obstacles you face while trying to take The Grapevine to the next level?
Donovan: Man! Being considered a niche. Um… trying to place yourself beyond the white gaze. You step into these meetings and they’re like, where is the nearest box that we can put these negroes in? These execs, some of who are black, think one Ava DuVernay is good enough.
Roderick: So how do you stay motivated?
Donovan: Prayer [laughs]. The community constantly reminds us to keep going. We get support from so many people, and we’re grateful.
Roderick: What makes you proud as a producer of The Grapevine TV?
Donovan: Knowing that we’ve been able to give opportunities to other creators with our platform. Seeing middle-school kids create their own Grapevine-inspired shows. Pushing culture through edutainment, and seeing the results – it’s all so satisfying.
Roderick: You guys have been all over the world, but I’m really excited about this live event coming up in Brooklyn. How’d you start live shows?
Donovan: The live shows started a little over two years ago. We did a show in Harlem about relationships, at MIST, and it sold out. From the show to the after-party, everybody was so hype. The energy in the room was so intense! We knew we had something. From there, we did London and kept selling out more shows.
Roderick: What’s next for The Grapevine?
Donovan: Touring! We’ve made a big dent digitally, and now we’re taking The Grapevine TV on the road. We’re going to be hitting different cities and universities, bringing people out of their homes for a live show.
Roderick: Awesome. What’s the theme of the upcoming Brooklyn show?
Donovan: Well, we’re tackling body image: this Instagram body we see with Nicki Minaj, Kim Kardashian, and whoever else. We want to discuss how its affecting women, especially black women, and really understand what people think about body shaming.
Roderick: That’s going to bring out all the opinions, especially in the age of Lizzo [laughs]. You’ve come a long way. What’s the legacy you want to leave behind with The Grapevine TV?
Donovan: I want The Grapevine TV to revolutionize how we see the talk show, in the same way, The Oprah Winfrey Show did. I want people to walk away from the Grapevine feeling seen.
Roderick: I think you’re well on your way. Donovan, it’s been a pleasure. I can’t wait to see you on tour!
Donovan: Thank you. This means so much.
The Grapevine TV’s live event, Thick Thighs Save Lives, A Conversation on Body-Shaming, will take place in Brooklyn on March 6, 2020, at the Center for Fiction. Be sure to check out @thegrapevinetv on Instagram for more information.
Roderick Thomas is an NYC-based writer and filmmaker (Instagram: @Hippiebyaccident; email: rtroderick.thomas@gmail.com).
