2020 tried to keep everyone down, but we’re laying it to rest and kicking 2021 off with a fresh watch queue from the best in streaming for Black TV and film: ALLBLK. Formerly known as UMC, the streaming platform went through a metamorphosis, and it’s now bigger, bolder and unapologetically Black.
To help you dive into the hundreds of hours of Black content, we selected a few of our favorite movies and shows — along with some of your favorite stars — for the ultimate #ALLBLKBingeNight.
Our good friends at ALLBLK are even offering a 30-Day Free Trial to get you started! Just use the promo code BLAVITY on allblk.tv to get bingeing today.
This is your invitation to stream where you’re celebrated. Y’all ready?
1. Always and Forever
The movie that will have you high-key reminiscing and questioning every childhood pact you’ve made
This film stars Cynthia Addai-Robinson (“Power”) as Nicole, the woman who seems to have it all. She’s got a great job and her adoring husband Brian (Robbie Jones, CW’s “One Tree Hill”), but her perfect world is shattered when her childhood friend is found dead. As if burying a friend isn’t hard enough, her life takes some sharp left turns as Nicole realizes everything is connected to a childhood pact where friends vow to remain loyal to each other “always and forever.”
2. Double Cross
For all the times you wished you either (a) had a twin, (b) lived in a world where vigilantes really took to the streets or (c) a combination of both.
Erica (Ashley A. Williams) and Eric Cross (Jeff Logan) are the Wonder Twins who decide to take matters into their own hands after a sudden rise of sex trafficking in their neighborhood. Haunted by their past, the twins set down a path of their unique brand of vigilante justice. Season 2 kicked off with a two-episode premiere, catch up now!
3. The Available Wife
When you need a reminder that you are, to paraphrase Lizzo, 100 percent that chick!
Successful music CEO Nicole Wright (KJ Smith, Tyler Perry’s “Sistas”) realizes her life is about to crumble in front of her. As the secrets that built her empire threaten to tear her down, Nicole also struggles to balance her ambitions with family and motherhood.
4. A House Divided
If you thought your family brought the spice to Thanksgiving dinner… whew chile.
“A House Divided” follows the Sanders family, the founders and owners of a historic Black-owned bank. Following their matriarch’s untimely death, the Sanders are faced with a mistress’ scheme to step in amid ongoing power struggles for dominance of the family business. With an ensemble cast featuring Demetria McKinney (Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne”), Lawrence Hilton Jacobs (The Jacksons: An American Dream), Brad James (Pride & Prejudice: Atlanta), Paula Jai Parker (Hustle & Flow), and recent additions LisaRaye McCoy (The Players Club) and Parker McKenna Posey (“My Wife and Kids”), this series will leave you tuned in and ready for more.
Handpicked by LisaRaye McCoy, Brad James and Keisha Knight Pullum as one of their favorite drama shows on ALLBLK.
5. A Weekend with the Family
When you need a laugh at the expense of someone else’s problems.
Young attorney Travis (Marques Houston) and Courtney (Karrueche Tran) struggle to hold on to their relationship as their two families wage war in an explosion of hilarity. It's the far east against the deep south: strict, traditional Korean customs versus a backwards, country way of life. In the end, Travis must find a way to make the two families peacefully coexist long enough for him to propose.
6. Here We Go Again
For all the girls who had an overbearing mom but didn’t get a sitcom out of it.
Superstitions are stressful — just ask single mother Maddy Walker (LeToya Luckett, “Greenleaf”), who believes the number 16 is cursed for women in the Walker family. Born when her mother, Loretta (Wendy Raquel Robinson, “The Game”), was 16 — and having given birth to her own daughter, Shante (Kyndall Ferguson), at the same age — Maddy is convinced of the “Walker women’s curse.” As Shante’s 16th birthday approaches, Maddy is determined to keep her from following the same pattern.
Handpicked by LisaRaye McCoy, Brad James and Keisha Knight Pullum as their favorite binge-worthy show for laughs.
7. Pride and Prejudice: Atlanta
For all the fans of books becoming films, this is the one for you.
Pride and Prejudice: Atlanta is a modern-day, comedic take on themes that will be familiar to fans of the Jane Austen novel. It follows Reverend Bennet (Reginald VelJohnson, “Family Matters”), a pastor of a prominent Southern Baptist church, and his wife (Jackée Harry, “Sister, Sister”), the author of a self-help book on how to find the perfect husband. Needless to say, Mrs. Bennet is less than thrilled that all five of their daughters are single. When the very eligible Will Darcy (Juan Antonio, “Empire”) arrives in town, Mrs. Bennet finds hope for Lizzie (Tiffany Hines, “Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart”).
Handpicked by Mya Harrison as her favorite book adaptation.
8. Terror Lake Drive
If 2020 had an address, it would be Terror Lake Drive.
In the midst of a recent pandemic and calls for social distancing, this limited series follows a single mother from Baltimore who hopes for a new life in Atlanta but quickly discovers she can't outrun her past. This series stars Malik Yoba (“First Wives Club”), Shannon Kane (“The Originals”), Lamman Rucker (“Greenleaf”) and Donielle T. Hansley Jr. (Charm City Kings).
9. For the Love of Jason
If “Insecure” was told from Daniel’s perspective and you liked it.
When Jason (Trell Woodberry) broke off his longtime relationship, he got caught up in the bachelor lifestyle. Now his friends are settling down, leaving him as the odd man out with the pressure to catch up. This show also stars BJ Britt (“Being Mary Jane''), Kareem Grimes ("All American”), Laila Odom (“Salt-N-Pepa”), Brely Evans (“Ambitions”), Jackée Harry (“Sister, Sister”) and Tabitha Brown.
10. A Closer Look
Because the “Can You Stand the Rain” scene from Best Man Holiday is your favorite part.
“A Closer Look” is a music documentary series that profiles legendary artists whose songs have topped the Billboard charts and re-shaped the music industry. In its premiere episode, fans get to take a closer look at R&B group New Edition’s lead singer, Ralph Tresvant, as he reveals it all — the good, the bad and the messy.
This is just the beginning of all the exclusive original series, must-see independent films, nostalgic Black cinema, TV and more that you’ll find on ALLBLK. So call up a friend or two, get your chef on and settle in for a night of entertainment for us, by us.
Don’t forget to share our promo code BLAVITY with your friends so they can also get a 30-Day Free Trial on allblk.tv.
This editorial is brought to you in partnership with ALLBLK.