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In honor of this year’s Black History Month, we’re reminded of the power of diversity and culture and that racial discrimination doesn’t rest. So, teaching our children about diversity shouldn’t rest, either — which is why we’re so grateful for an uptick in kid-friendly movies and TV shows that foster important conversations about diversity and race.
When you think of kid-friendly movies and TV shows, you probably think in terms of what’s “appropriate.” You know, content you’d feel comfortable cozying up on the couch with your little ones to watch together. And since growth isn’t always comfortable, you might assume that programming which encourages growth isn’t the kind of content you and the kiddos will enjoy. However, movies and shows that feature diverse representation and don’t shy away from addressing race are both fun to watch and important.
They spur dialogue we can’t afford to gloss over with future generations. Following the May 25, 2020 killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police — and the subsequent global protests — as parents, we’re called to make sure we’re actively sharing stories with our children that celebrate people from all walks of life. We have to prioritize lessons about equality and the beauty of our differences.
That said, we’ve rounded up films and TV shows to help you educate your kids about diversity and race.
A version of this article was originally published in February 2016.
‘Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices’
Perfect for young kids, Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices is a series featuring Black celebrities and artists reading children’s books from Black authors that highlight the Black experience.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Abbott Elementary’
Emmy Award and Golden Globe-winning show Abbott Elementary is an ABC sitcom that follows the lives of public school elementary school teachers from South Philadelphia. With most of the teachers and students being people of color, this show is what real and true representation onscreen is all about.
‘Turning Red’
Animated movies like Turning Red prove that Disney has finally reached a turning point in its commitment to representation. It features the story of a Chinese-Canadian teen, Mei Lee, learning to navigate the challenges of puberty and the mother-daughter dynamics that often come with those complicated years. Even with the inter-generational differences, she figures out how to appreciate her Asian heritage while grappling with her own identity. The film also leans into the diverse culture and landscape of the vibrant city of Toronto.
‘King Richard’
The blatant racism that Richard Williams and his two daughters, Venus and Serena faced in their rise to the top of the tennis world may seem shocking, but it is the athletes’ personal story of the challenges they faced. In King Richard, Will Smith, portraying the tennis players’ dad, says, “You’re going to be representing every little Black girl on earth.” It’s a powerful moment about how hard Venus and Serena fought to be taken seriously in an elitist sport.
‘Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse’
Teenager Miles Morales was just living his life in New York City when he was bitten by a radioactive spider that turned him into his dimension’s Spider-Man. In the highly acclaimed Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, Miles comes into his powers and his own. It’s as much a coming of age story as it is a showcase of how what sets us apart and makes us different can ultimately make the world a better place.
‘Encanto’
When you’re the only one in your family without any special abilities, you can really feel like an outsider. But for Mirabel Madrigal, her true powers come to light when she takes it upon herself to save the magic that gives her family their abilities. Encanto shows audiences that we’re all special in our own way, and that’s a universal message kids should always here.
‘Coco’
In 2017’s Coco, we meet young Miguel, an aspiring musician who feels a little disconnected from his family. Dealing with his family’s long ban on music, Miguel travels to the Land of the Dead to meet his great-great-grandfather and realizes just how proud he is to be a member of his family.
‘Ada Twist, Scientist’
Based on the beloved David Roberts Ada Twistpicture books, a new Netflix series about your favorite curious young scientist is here! Accompanied by pals Iggy Peck and Rosie Revere, Ada is determined to explore all the mysteries life has to offer — and get down to the science of what exactly is going on. It’s a “sneak teach” show, as Kristen Bell calls her new education music series Do, Re & Mi, and having a young black girl in the lead highlighted for her curiosity and intelligence is exactly what we want our kids to see.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Ruby Bridges’
Euzhan Palcy’s 1998 Ruby Bridges tells the story of real-life activist Ruby Bridges, was one of the first Black students sent to an integrated school in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the very first Black student at her school at the age of 6.
‘Over the Moon’
Animated Over the Moon tells the story of Fei Fei’s quest to build a rocket to the moon to prove the existence of Chang’e whom her late mother had told her about. The movie is a beautiful celebration of Chinese culture and tradition.
Watch on Netflix.
‘The Bravest Knight’
The Bravest Knight will win you over right away with Nia (Storm Reid) and her two adoptive dads, the family at the heart of each adventure as we learn how dad Sir Cedric became a knight and see Nia pursue knighthood on her own.
Watch on Hulu.
‘Spelling the Dream’
This documentary about the incredible kids who train for national spelling bees also delves into the history of Indian-American immigration and how Indian-American students have come to dominate the national spelling bee scene.
Watch on Netflix.
‘Hidden Figures’
Three Black women were central to NASA’s ability to send astronaut John Glenn into space in the early days of the U.S. space program, but their story only became known later — and was most recently immortalized in this loose adaptation of their story starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monaé.
‘Odd Squad’
Aimed at kids ages 5-8, Odd Squad features a diverse cast and tells the story of a quirky crew of kids with a fierce woman at the lead whose mathematical adventures save the day again and again.
Watch on PBS Kids.
‘Diary of a Future President’
Tess Romero, Charlie Bushnell, Selenis Leyva, and Michael Weaver star in this family comedy on Disney+ about Cuban-American Elena, the future President of the United States — and current middle schooler. Confident Elena’s middle school adventures set the stage for her political career later on and set up her meaningful lifelong relationships. It’s a show that highlights her Cuban heritage, but makes it clear her story is about so much more.
“Esme & Roy’
Introduce your kids to young Esme and her best monster friend Roy, Monsterdale’s #1 monster sitters and solvers of all monster problems, big and small. This series isn’t overtly educational, but it’s a great opportunity to make sure your kids aren’t only watching shows with white leads.
‘Raising Dion’
More than anything, Netflix’s Raising Dion is the story of a bond between a single Black mom and her young son — one who happens to be developing superpowers the depths of which they don’t yet know. There’s only one thing Dion’s mom does know: she’ll do whatever it takes to protect her son.
Watch here.
‘Mixed-Ish’
After the huge success of Black-Ish, creator Kenya Barris went on to make prequel spiinoff Mixed-Ish, a sitcom set in the ’80s about a mixed-race family with two kids who just want to fit in. This show explores race issues more overtly, which also lets it engage more seriously with issues of feeling racially alienated or struggling with identity — all while also delivering a fun and engaging sitcom.
‘Family Reunion’
Family Reunion stars Tia Mowry-Hardrict, who plays Cocoa McKellan, a mother of four and wife of a retired football player, Moz, played by former NFL player Anthony Alabi.
Executive producer Meg DeLoatch got the idea for the family sitcom when she went to a family reunion in Georgia. “I wanted to genuinely share the African American experience,” she she told NPR of the Netflix sitcom.
Watch here.
‘Mira, Royal Detective’
The newest cartoon on Disney Junior, the series Mira, Royal Detective, is a celebration of Indian and South Asian culture following Mira, a young royal detective, and her friends.
‘Nella the Princess Knight’
Follows the adventures of Nella, a princess who turns into a princess knight. Nella is biracial. Her father is black, and her mother is white.
“There are a lot of princesses out there” Nina Hahn, Senior Vice President of International Production and Development at Nickelodeon, told The Huffington Post. “We had to think about what would make a Nickelodeon princess unique. What became crystal clear to us in the development process is that Nella didn’t have to be a princess or a knight ― she could be both.”
‘Motown Magic’
Motown Magic, executive produced by Smokey Robinson, features a diverse cast of characters, each episode inspired by classic Motown song. The series follows an 8-year-old African American boy named Ben as he uses a magic paintbrush (and his imagination) to bring colourful street art to life in his city.
Watch here.
‘Moana’
Not only does Disney hit Moana have a strong female protagonist, but the film is also centered on Pacific Islanders, a far cry from the very white worlds of past Disney princess films. Plus, the film doesn’t revolve around Moana finding a husband. She’s finding herself.
‘Akeelah & the Bee’
Eleven-year-old Akeelah, an African-American girl from South L.A., competes in the National Spelling Bee.
‘Dora the Explorer’
A bilingual Latina, little Dora teaches kids about other languages and cultures through her many adventures.
‘To Kill a Mockingbird’
In this classic tale, Scout Finch’s father, Atticus, defends an African-American man in a sleepy Southern town.
‘Go, Diego, Go’
In the companion series to Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer, Diego is a multilingual Hispanic boy who will teach your kids about animals and the natural world.
‘Remember the Titans’
Remember the Titans is the true story of two schools becoming one after being integrated in the ’70s.
‘Doc McStuffins’
The title character of this too-cute series is an African-American girl who’s a doctor to toys, just like her mom is a doctor to people.
‘The Secret Life of Bees’
This book turned movie offers a glimpse into life during the civil rights movement.
‘Invictus’
Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman star in ‘Invictus’ — a deeply moving true story of two men who unite to heal the wounds of a nation.
‘Ni Hao, Kai-Lan’
Five-year-old Kai-Lan is a bilingual Asian-American girl who teaches multicultural values.
‘The Hate U Give’
16-year-old Starr Carter has grown up in the Black neighborhood of Garden Heights but attends a mostly white high school— and after going back and forth between the two communities and after the police killing of her childhood friend Khalil, Starr raises her voice against racial injustice and becomes vehicle for positive change.
‘Team Zenko Go’
Showing some much-needed disability representation on the small screen, Team Zenko Go shows a diverse group of four youngsters who helps solve their town’s biggest problems.
Watch on Netflix.
’42’
For older kids, the story of real-life baseball legend Jackie Robinson is an eye-opener.
‘Maya & Miguel’
The Latino brother and sister who speak both English and Spanish, Maya and Miguel, love learning and fix-it projects.
‘Fresh Off The Boat’
Fresh Off the Boat starring Constance Wu is ABC’s first series to be fronted by an Asian-American cast in two decades.
Show creator Nahnatchka Khan told The Hollywood Reporter, “I like to think that we had a hand in that tsunami of different faces on TV and changing the game in a way.”
‘Liberty’s Kids’
Aimed at older kids, Liberty’s Kids follows a freed slave named Moses, who runs Ben Franklin’s print shop.
‘Handy Manny’
Manny, a bilingual Latino man teaches about culture, friendship, fix-it projects and more.
‘Hoop Dreams’
This documentary follows William Gates and Arthur Agee, two Black high school students in Chicago as they face many trials and tribulations pursuing their dream of becoming professional basketball players.
The film follows them through their four years of high school and their trials and tribulations: injuries, slumps and the never ending battle to maintain their grades. Through it all, their hoop dreams continue.
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