From 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina to AIDS, Nick News covered important and heavy topics for 25 years. Created, written, and anchored by Linda Ellerbee, the informative Nickelodeon show did its part to start vital conversations until Ellerbee retired in 2016.
Alicia Keys is taking the reins for an hour-long special comeback of the show, premiering on Monday, June 29. Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special will feature leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement to discuss racism in our country and to highlight teen activists who are fighting racial injustice. The show will amplify the voices of Black kids, answer questions, and give families resources to teach their kids about race and inclusivity.
Keys will lead conversations with special guests, including the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi; 12-year-old singer, Keedron Bryant; author of Antiracist Baby, Ibram X. Kendi; the Nashville teens who founded Teens4Equality: Jade Fuller, Nya Collins, Zee Thomas, Kennedy Green, Emma Rose Smith, and Mikayla Smith; social media sensation Tabitha Brown and her family; and family therapist, Dr. George James.
“Talking about race can be sensitive and uncomfortable, and sometimes we try to protect our children from racism they are already experiencing,” Keys said in a press release. “But honestly, there is no way around this topic if we want to move forward in any kind of meaningful way. What’s happening in the world is not just a problem for the Black community, it’s all of our problem and we all have to care about it in order to change it. This is such an important, vulnerable, honest, and beautiful conversation, and I know many families may be searching for the right way to enter it. Let’s really deep dive together.”
Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special will simulcast across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, and Nicktoons on Monday, June 29, at 7 p.m. EDT/PDT. Families can also watch it on Nickelodeon YouTube, Nick On Demand, the Nick app, and the Nick Pluto TV channel following the premiere. This is the first of more Nick News specials coming to Nickelodeon this year.
Parents can continue to teach their kids to stand up against racism with the help of a discussion guide and anti-racism resources created with the help of The Conscious Kid and Dr. George James on nickhelps.com.
