John Legend’s resume continues to expand. The Ohio native has once again teamed up with WGN America to develop a new series based on the true story of the Black Wall Street.
Early in the 20th century, Tulsa, Oklahoma, home to some of the most wealthiest black communities thanks to the oil boom of the late 1910s, was dubbed the “Black Wall Street.” In 1921, nearly three hundred blacks were killed after a race riot where white citizens destroyed the neighborhood. Though the story was largely tight-lipped, the Tulsa Race Riot was one of the largest mass killings in the history of the U.S.
Mike Jackson of Legend’s production company Get Lifted told Deadline Monday (August 22), “We’re so excited to continue to grow our relationship with WGN America. Our experience working with them on Underground has been fantastic. Additionally we’re looking forward to working with our friend Tika Sumpter to help tell this incredible story that many people know nothing about.”
Sumpter, who stars in Southside With You as First Lady Michelle Obama, also executive produced by Legend, has jumped on board.
The series, if picked up, is expected to debut in 2018.
The “Ordinary People” singer also produces the network’s breakout series, Underground, starring Jurnee Smollette-Bell and Aldis Hodge (Straight Outta Compton, 2015.)
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