When Kerry Washington realized a distinct gap in the voices of those represented in Hollywood media, she took matters into her own hands. She launched Simpson Street Productions in 2016, and it has evolved from a passion project into an award-winning company that merges social impact with intricate storytelling. Named after the street her mother grew up on in the Bronx, NY, this endeavor signals a shift in Washington’s influence leverage to redefine Hollywood and beyond by taking on an active role behind and in front of the camera.
Since then, the company has been on a mission to amplify the voices of those whose stories are rarely of interest to Hollywood. From projects that explore the intricate dynamics of Black families in a refreshingly authentic light to documentaries that uplift the next generation of voices, Simpson Street has impacted the kinds of projects that get greenlit in entertainment.
In the HBO drama Confrontation (2016), Washington depicts Anita Hill and her real-life testimony against sitting Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas, whom she claimed harassed her while she was his advisor. Simpson Street Productions role in the piece introduced a new audience of young Black women to Hill’s bravery and impact on how we think about office power dynamics today.
Simpson Street created one of their first projects, Five Points for Facebook Watch in 2018. It followed a a group of Chicago high schoolers dealing with drugs issues, bullying, gun-violence, and anti-LGBTQ sentiment. The project was an early demonstration of the production company’s commitment to representing stories that often go unheard in media and humanized the struggles of those living in the south side of Chicago.
The production company continued its foray into tough subjects with American Son (2019) by helping to adapt this Broadway show for Netflix, where two parents must work together in order to find their missing son. The film puts a spotlight on the anxiety Black parents face when trying to raise their children in an unfair social system, including the under-reported dismissive attitudes police have toward finding missing people of color.
In 2020, Simpson Street worked with Hulu to bring Little Fires Everywhere to the screen. Adapted from the novel of the same name, this story of race and motherhood boldly helped reignite the complex conversation about navigating motherhood, examining what privileges are and are not afforded to us all because of the color of our skin, and the lengths that a Black mother will go to protect her family.
The year was a busy one for Simpson Street. The documentary The Fight brought new focus to the American Civil Liberty Union’s fight to protect immigration, LGBTQ, reproductive and voting policies that were under attack from the first Trump administration. The project is as relevant as ever as it celebrates the perseverence of advocates that dedicate their lives to helping others through their work with the ACLU.
Simpson Street helped celebrate television of yesteryear as part of the Live in Front of a Studio Audience: ‘The Facts of Life’ and ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ special that aired in 2021. The event brought these classic sitcoms back to life with a star-studded cast reenacting iconic scenes. It was a special project for everyone involved, paying tribute to the visionary Norman Lear, who’s beloved shows put Black actors and actresses at the forefront of millions of Americans’ TV sets for the first time.
Making its foray into the the talk show realm in 2021, Street You Grew Up On is a platform for creatives, industry leaders and influencers alike to share the journey to success with their modest starts in their industries. Simpson Street even collaborated with Quickbooks to help directly support small businesses that bolster their communities.
Simpson Street and Washington produced a can’t-stop-listening Audible Original podcast, The Prophecy, in 2022. The project put a new twist on the way we think about the Bible, wondering if whether those classic stories are instead a warning for the future. Washington starred in a pivotal role in the series and produced behind the scenes, showcasing her talent once again in front and behind the mic.
Seems her Scandal days prepared Washington to helm the Onyx drama Reasonable Doubt (2022), which follows the Los Angeles defense attorney that must balance her marriage and work in criminal jutstice, two complex systems that put her fearlessness and determination to the test. The courtroom drama is not only entertaining, but shines a light on the struggles that Black women navigate in their professional careers, reinforcing Washington’s own committment for Simpson Street to shine a light on our voices.
Washington did double duty on Unprisoned (2023-2024). She starred as Paige Alexander, a single mother whose home life is thrown into chaos as she navigates living with her teenage son and newly un-incarcerated father under her roof, and Simpson Street produced the series. The show received praise for capturing the process of reintegrating with family and adjusting to life on the outside, and the unique struggle of finding forgiveness in strained family bonds. She was also part of the production team that brought the documentary Daughters (2024), a documentary about daughters reuniting with their incarcerated fathers, to light.
Simpson Street’s upcoming movie, Shadow Force, features two parents on the run with their son to avoid being caught by the mysterious agency they once were a part of. The film is an opportunity to allow Black actors to make their mark on the spy thriller genre, traditionally dominated by White actors stepping into roles like James Bond, all while promoting uplifting themes like family loyalty.
Over the past decade, Simpson Street Productions has been a champion in showcasing our stories. And with our cover girl showing no signs of slowing down, we know representation of the Black experience, from every angle, is in good hands on this block.
