Overview
- The two‑episode premiere debuted Oct. 22 on KeyTV’s YouTube and Facebook, introducing KoKo Johnson, a Korean American woman raised by Southern Black parents who enrolls at a fictional Atlanta HBCU.
- Social‑media critics objected to centering a non‑Black lead at an HBCU, with posts accusing the concept of de‑centering Black experiences and flirting with cultural appropriation.
- Palmer released a video statement saying KeyTV’s mission prioritizes funding and opportunities for creators of color, urging viewers to watch the series before judging.
- Creator Nakia Stephens and director Shayla Racquel, both HBCU graduates, publicly defended the intent, citing themes of identity, cultural transmission, and the line between appreciation and appropriation.
- Early write‑ups from viewers who watched the first episodes describe the outcry as disproportionate and characterize the show as a specific coming‑of‑age story rather than a definitive portrait of HBCU life.