Nickelodeon‘s “Nick News” is set to stage a comeback on June 29 with a special episode “Kids, Race and Unity: A Nick News Special,” hosted by Alicia Keys.
The one-hour special, executive produced by Fernita Wynn and Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson, will showcase the voices and experiences of Black kids in the country, which is in the midst of large-scale protests in recent weeks demanding racial justice. The program will air at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
During the special, Keys will engage in conversations with special guests, including the co-founders of Black Lives Matter, Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi, responding to questions from kids.
12-year-old singer Keedron Bryant; Ibram X. Kendi, author of Antiracist Baby; the founders of Teens4Equality, social media star Tabitha Brown and her family; and family therapist, Dr. George James will all appear during the special.
“I’ve had a vision of a forum that can engage kids during this time and help to focus our attention on how they might be feeling, and this Nick News special is it! Talking about race can be sensitive and uncomfortable; and sometimes we try to protect our children from racism they are already experiencing. This is such an important, vulnerable, honest and beautiful conversation, and I know many families may be searching for the right way to enter it. Let’s really deep dive together,” said Keys.
The special will simulcast across Nickelodeon, TeenNick, and Nicktoons, and be available on Nickelodeon YouTube, Nick On Demand, the Nick App and the Nick Pluto TV channel following the premiere.
A discussion guide as well as anti-racism resources, made in partnership with The Conscious Kid and Dr. George James, will be available on nickhelps.com and Nickelodeon’s social channels following the premiere of the special.
The upcoming episode will be the first of a series of Nick News specials that will air on Nickelodeon in the coming months. After airing on Nickelodeon for 25 years, Nick News ended in 2016 following the retirement of Ellerbee.