#RunTheCulture

The Proud Family show was a rare cartoon because it followed the adventures and misadventures of Penny, a 14-year-old African American girl trying to navigate through the early years of teen-dom. The show was funny but also had heart thanks to it’s positive images of a modern black family complete with loving and over-protective parents, annoying yet hilarious siblings and a cool grandma. The star, Penny is smart, creative, and very relatable for teenage black girls at the time.

The show was created by Bruce W. Smith and Doreen Spicer and starred the voice talents of Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson, Cedric The Entertainer, Jo Marie Payton, and Paula Jai Parker. The show was Disney’s first animated sitcom and original series of any kind, making all kinds of history when it debuted in 2001. It ended up running from 2001-2005 and even got its own TV movie.

And now, in a major move for a black animated series, it’s been rebooted with the original voice-cast returning and adding a new character voiced by KeKe Palmer! You can catch the reboot on Disney +. For providing positive images for young black girls and for breaking barriers on the Disney Channel, The Proud Family is no doubt a #CultureClassic.

#FunFact: The slapping yet wholesome theme song that opened each episode was done by Solange Knowles and Destiny’s Child.

#RunTheCulture

Thanks for checking out our story on The Proud Family show! Check out more of our #CultureClassics:

• House Party Dance Scene
• Me, Myself, and I Music Video

Written by @TalentedMrFord

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