Future Black History Month: Issa Rae Is 'Awkward,' 'Insecure' & Unstoppable

FUSE TV - Future Black History Month: Issa Rae Is 'Awkward,' 'Insecure' & Unstoppable

Fuse is once again celebrating an extended Black History Month by looking at a variety of rising forces who are creating Future Black History before our eyes. Today we're talking about Issa Rae, who in 2016 turned years of multiplatform success into a hit HBO comedy, Insecure, which features her as co-creator, executive producer, star and writer. It took its place on Fuse's Best New TV Series of 2016 list with ease.

Jo-Issa Rae Diop, 32, was born in L.A. to a teacher mom from Louisiana and a Sengalese doctor dad; one chapter in her memoir, the 2015 New York Times best-seller The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, is called "Halfrican." The book shares a title with the beloved, outrageous web series Rae launched in 2011. From that point on, Rae ceaselessly demonstrated how to be an internet content innovator and mogul, bending Kickstarter, celebrity collaborations (Pharrell, Shonda Rhimes), podcasts and social media all in service of her far-reaching mission. 

Rae launched Color Creative TV in 2014 to "increase opportunities for women and minority TV writers to showcase and sell their work, both inside and outside the existing studio system." At the time, she told Ebony about the need to subvert Hollywood's problematic precedents:

“A lot of these diversity initiatives staff writers to a television show and pay them separately through a diversity salary. Everyone knows they’re the affirmative action diversity hire, which is kind of embarrassing. They’re not given the respect that other staffers get. ... I predict that Netflix absorbs people of color. I can also see a solid BET of the future online, where the content of people of color is its own network.”

Issa Rae Talks 'Raedio' and Prioritizing Therapy (Extended Cut)

12m

Issa Rae Talks 'Raedio' and Prioritizing Therapy (Extended Cut)

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The Future is Bright

Rae in LA

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Rae in LA

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Create The Future

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Black Thought

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Shades of Black

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Feat. Courtney Black

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24m

Black, Brown and Red

Trailblazers in Sports History: Nancy Leiberman

59s

Trailblazers in Sports History: Nancy Leiberman

Trailblazers in Sports History: Wilma Rudolph

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Trailblazers in Sports History: Wilma Rudolph

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That Back To The Future Ish

Trailblazers in Sports History: Claressa Shields -a

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Trailblazers in Sports History: Claressa Shields -a

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5m

History of the Reebok Pump Part 1

King Keraun Goes "Back to the Future"

6m

King Keraun Goes "Back to the Future"

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Inside Reebok and Future's Fury Pop-Up Shop

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Euphoria Is

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G Is Shot

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Who is Hypeman?

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Fare is Fair

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More is More

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Healthfulness is Sexiness

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Prince: My Name Is

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Jasmine Is a Star

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The Gig Is Up

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Is Everyone on Drugs?

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Nas: Time Is Illmatic

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My Name is Pedro

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This Is A Sex Toy

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This Is Not Financial Advice

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The Queen Diva Is Back

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Vogue Williams Investigates: Is Monogamy Dead?

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Is Freedia Stretching Herself too Thin?

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The Best Is Yet To Come

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Wearing Sleeveless Shirts Is A CRIME!

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Why Is He Blowing Me Kisses?

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Is Nya A Baller On The Low?

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Is There Cultural Appropriation In Plastic Surgery?

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This Is How A DCI Marimbist Rolls

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All the Focus is on the Diamonds

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Inside the MMA: A Rivalry is Born

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Where Is It Illegal To Eat Frogs?!

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LGBTQIA Community, What Is The New Norm?

Is It Illegal To Trip A Horse Up?

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Is It Illegal To Trip A Horse Up?

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Where Is It ILLEGAL to Send Unwanted Pizzas?

Dublab Is Internet Radio Like You've Never Heard Before

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Dublab Is Internet Radio Like You've Never Heard Before

Latto Takes A Lie Detector Test: Is She Into Threesomes?

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Latto Takes A Lie Detector Test: Is She Into Threesomes?

Clash of The Corps Is Putting DCI Stereotypes To Rest

1m

Clash of The Corps Is Putting DCI Stereotypes To Rest

Bambiana’s Mom Is Not A Fan of Twerking or Sexy Photos

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Bambiana’s Mom Is Not A Fan of Twerking or Sexy Photos

How Much Is too Much When It Comes to Sex with Weezy

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How Much Is too Much When It Comes to Sex with Weezy

Is Tossing Your Man's Salad The Way To His Heart: Dear Bambiana

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Is Tossing Your Man's Salad The Way To His Heart: Dear Bambiana

Todrick Hall Reveals First Big Paycheck and Why Unfollowing Beyonce is Blasphemous

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Todrick Hall Reveals First Big Paycheck and Why Unfollowing Beyonce is Blasphemous

DOMINO: Battle of the Bones

1h 49m

DOMINO: Battle of the Bones

CNCO Takes A Lie Detector Test

4m

CNCO Takes A Lie Detector Test

Silly String Is Illegal in What US City!? Comedians React to Strange Laws

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Silly String Is Illegal in What US City!? Comedians React to Strange Laws

Smokepurpp & His Manager Take A Lie Detector Test: Is He Done with Lean

4m

Smokepurpp & His Manager Take A Lie Detector Test: Is He Done with Lean

Luh Kel & His Mom Take A Lie Detector Test: Is He Dating Multiple Women?

5m

Luh Kel & His Mom Take A Lie Detector Test: Is He Dating Multiple Women?

Salem Ilese Takes A Lie Detector Test: Why Is She Really "Mad At Disney"?

5m

Salem Ilese Takes A Lie Detector Test: Why Is She Really "Mad At Disney"?

Victoria Monét & Her Manager Take A Lie Detector Test: Is She Nervous About Releasing Jaguar?

7m

Victoria Monét & Her Manager Take A Lie Detector Test: Is She Nervous About Releasing Jaguar?

Key Glock Takes A Lie Detector Test: Is He A Better Rapper Than Young Dolph

5m

Key Glock Takes A Lie Detector Test: Is He A Better Rapper Than Young Dolph

Fuse+ is the Home for Big Freedia Means Business, Sex Sells, Made From Scratch & More!

30s

Fuse+ is the Home for Big Freedia Means Business, Sex Sells, Made From Scratch & More!

Quando Rondo Takes A Lie Detector Test: Which is Better "Life B4 Fame" or "QPac"?

8m

Quando Rondo Takes A Lie Detector Test: Which is Better "Life B4 Fame" or "QPac"?

La Goony Chonga & Her DJ Take A Lie Detector Test: Is She An Ex-Cam Girl?

7m

La Goony Chonga & Her DJ Take A Lie Detector Test: Is She An Ex-Cam Girl?

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She Did That

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What's It Gonna Be, Boys?

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Nemiah Valley

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Embarassing Sex Stories

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Sex & Relationships

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A Sexplanation

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1h 13m

Juneteenth Honors Fest 2024

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Latino Studies

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Shrug–Eterian

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The Revolution Generation

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Juneteenth Honors 2023

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The Dirtiest Song Ever Recorded

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Find Your Inspiration

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Guapdad4000

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Estevan Oriol

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Girl Down

T-Pain's School of Business: Artiphon- The All In One Musical Device | Season 1 Look Back |

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T-Pain's School of Business: Artiphon- The All In One Musical Device | Season 1 Look Back |

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Angel City FC

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Soul Food Pop-Up

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The FP

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Indigiqueer

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BYB's London Debut: Driver vs. Dreiling

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White Elephant

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Pop Your Podcast

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The 212

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Kamala Harris: Chase the Dream

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Building Community

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Race & Colorism

King Keraun Becomes a Cowboy

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King Keraun Becomes a Cowboy

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Toe to Toe

King Keraun Tries Aerial Fitness

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King Keraun Tries Aerial Fitness

Trinidad James & Guapdad 4000 Take A Lie Detector Test: Who Stalks Their Exs Page?

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Trinidad James & Guapdad 4000 Take A Lie Detector Test: Who Stalks Their Exs Page?

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Pole Dancer Diet

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Hank3's Vinyl Collection

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Blac Chyna, Diggy Simmons, DaniLeigh

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