“The importance of seeing leadership that looks like you, such as having the first Black president in the US (Barack Obama), is vital for self-esteem and a positive sense of self-image. As a child psychologist, I find it extremely important for people to see themselves in different positions and doing really cool things,” Arlene Hollingsworth shares as we begin our interview.

It was during the pandemic in 2020, when families started to spend more time together that Arlene and her husband Javoris Hollingsworth noticed something discouraging – there were not many children’s shows that featured children who looked like their daughter, Graceyn Hollingsworth. Deep down, they wanted Graceyn, and children everywhere, to see themselves represented in the media they loved.

That emotion eventually found its reality in Gracie’s Corner, a YouTube channel for children. Gracie’s Corner features the talented 11-year-old Graceyn as the main character, known as Gracie. Produced by her parents, Gracie’s Corner was born out of the lack of Black representation in children’s media. With a vision to address this disparity, Gracie’s Corner now boasts almost 4 million subscribers on YouTube.

Gracie’s Corner started as a small family project, something that was fun to do together. But it soon grew into something much bigger.

Gracie’s Corner quickly became a viral sensation, captivating hearts across the globe. The channel’s joyful and colourful videos, starring Gracie’s bright smile and beautiful voice, attracted millions of viewers. In the past two years, Gracie’s Corner has received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Best Animated Series in January 2023, and won the 2024 NAACP Image Award for Most Outstanding Children’s Program. Their collaborations with artists like Big Freedia, That Girl Lay Lay, and Snoop Dogg have further elevated the channel’s reach and impact.

The reaction they have received from parents is what keeps Arlene and Javoris going. “Hearing from parents, about how our content has helped their children, whether with speech delays or other developmental issues, has been amazing. It’s rewarding to see the positive impact,” said Javoris.

Their daughter’s influence and growth has been instrumental in the rise of Gracie’s Corner.

“Gracie naturally enjoyed singing from a young age. She was good at taking instruction and, as she’s grown, her skills have improved, which has made the process smoother,” her parents reflected.

The future of Gracie’s Corner is leaning more towards creating long-form content, shares Arlene on the impact they look to create going forward: “We’re pushing to create a long-form series where Gracie has a storyline, and you get to know her as a character within a diverse community. This series will have morals and lessons integrated into the story.”

To end our interview, Arlene and Javoris shared their personal goals for Gracie’s Corner.

“Our goal is to continue growing as a global brand, expanding our merchandise, and bringing Gracie’s Corner to life through tours and live experiences. Our aim is to create core memories for families.”