These Black Celebrities Get Candid About Race In New YouTube Series "The Outsiders?"Skip To ContentHomepageSign InSearch BuzzFeedSearch BuzzFeedlol Badge Feedwin Badge Feedtrending Badge FeedCalifornia residents can opt out of "sales" of personal data.Do Not Sell My Personal Information 2022 BuzzFeed, Inc PressRSSPrivacyConsent PreferencesUser TermsAd ChoicesHelpContactSitemap Posted on 4 Oct 2021 These Black Celebrities Get Candid About Race In New YouTube Series The Outsiders “My generation asked for permission and if we couldn’t get it, we tried to make it ourselves." by Tochi ImoBuzzFeed ContributorFacebookPinterestTwitterMailLink In 2020 the world watched in horror as George Floyd s murder at the hands of American police was brought to the forefront of both mainstream and social media But while the rest of the globe seemed to discover racism for the first time, Black audiences across the world were horrified but unsurprised by the turn of events that had defined the stories attached to names such as Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Philando Castille and many, many more. A year on while George Floyd moved to the back of many minds Black people remain aware of the racialised experiences that they had and continue to encounter every day – and this is what Simon Frederick sheds light on in the creation of his new YouTube Originals series The Outsiders Youtube Originals The Outsiders is a six-episode series that sees Black talent across the UK and the US discuss their experiences as Black people in their various industries and within institutions Youtube Originals Contributors include; Ncuti Gatwa, Mo Gilligan, Eunice Olumide, MNEK, Julie Adenuga, Miguel, Marsai Martin, Amanda Seales, Jidenna, Chidera ‘The Slumflower’ Eggerue and more, discussing the obstacles they have faced, from imposter syndrome to racial attacks, and how they have navigated these experiences to reach where they are today. Ahead of the series launch BuzzFeed UK attended The Outsiders premiere where guests and cast members took to the red carpet before viewing two exclusive episodes at Fulham Road s Picturehouse Speaking to BuzzFeed UK, filmmaker, photographer and series creator Simon Frederick, discussed the surrealness of launching the series: “Last week I was speaking to my friend, Jeymes Samuel, whose film Harder They Fall is premiering soon. We discussed how growing up in West London, we never pictured ourselves doing something like this – releasing feature films and documentaries on a global stage as Black men. It’s mind blowing.” Frederick also explained the importance of the series coming out now I think there s a generation of Black people under 40 that needs to be celebrated They ve created things that have never been created before they have professions that have not existed before “My generation asked for permission and if we couldn’t get it, we tried to make it ourselves. Your generation doesn't ask for permission, you’re all making your own things and creating it on your own terms.” Featured contributors such as broadcaster and presenter Julie Adenuga echoed Simon s sentiments People don t realise the outsiders are always outside we just work in our spaces and where we feel safe where we feel we are championed and celebrated Youtube Originals "But now is the time for everyone to know we exist, because the world needs to be shaken up a bit. I like the idea of people seeing there are other ways to do things, other ways to be creative, to be exciting and to be Black!” Her excitement was shared by fellow cast member and vegan chef content creator Rachel Ama Youtube Originals “I’m good, I’m outside, I’m celebrating Blackness!” Ama says. “It felt surreal to be asked by Simon – someone who has done so much for the culture – for little old me to be part of something that’s this big. It's amazing.” She also expressed that there is, however, still more to be done in terms of representation of Black women in niche industries across the UK: “The industry has changed massively but in the same token, not enough. When I was growing up, I didn’t see Black women cooking on the television, ever. It gave me nothing to aspire to, I didn’t know I could be doing this as an adult. Here I am today doing it and I still don’t see us on the TV.” In the series we see one of the contributors model Eunice Olumide discuss growing up in Edinburgh and being met with racial assault bullying and even arson to her home Speaking to BuzzFeed UK she explains how things have evolved since she was younger Youtube Originals "Things are definitely changing in the sense of the dialogue" she says. "The conversations are now there but I do think we need to do more to make sure it goes further than conversation. We need to see deeds and acts – that’s what will make things better for all of us.” Social commentator and author Chidera The Slumflower Eggerue also discusses the importance of more radical movements beyond conversation Youtube Originals “I want to believe things are getting better but right now the priority is placed on surface level gestures as opposed to real, tangible, social change that may involve violence, that is not comfortable and will not be marketable.” she says. On the role The Outsiders? plays in dismantling the status quo, Chidera explains the importance of Black people in the limelight being able to show up: “When you’re at a stage where you’re invited to ‘the table’ it’s easy to fear being your real self, to sanitise who you really are, to make yourself smaller. The Outsiders? allows Black people to show up as they are and use their position to share a wider story – and if it’s going to p*ss off gatekeepers then so be it!” Contributors weren t the only ones expressing their delight at the series release – the guests were too YouTuber and editor extraordinaire Leoni Joyce said With upcoming Black talent and Black History Month on the way what better time to shine a light on our experiences Similarly, boxing champion Lawrence Okolie, shared his thoughts on why now is an integral time for the series to come out: “There’s a lot of young, up and coming talented Black people going through obstacles – it’s good to see those who have, talk about how they pushed through and overcame those experiences, not only for context, but for motivation.” THE OUTSIDERS premieres on Monday 4th October on YouTube Originals Share This ArticleFacebook PinterestTwitterMailLink BuzzFeed DailyKeep up with the latest daily buzz with the BuzzFeed Daily newsletter!This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.