The barbecue is a time honored tradition in America. In many Black communities the cookout as it’s often called is a rite of passage. It’s a beautiful experience full of love, laughter, and sometimes tears with food as the centerpiece. Blackyard Grill is a new storytelling platform honoring the classic ‘backyard cookout’.

Our Mission

We’ll travel the country and listen as Black folk tell their stories. Through original storytelling we’ll help Black people and communities connect across the country. Blackyard Grill is also committed to helping build Black businesses and an economy that sustains its people for generations.

Listen, Learn, Enlighten

Blackyard Grill will do more than chronicle events. This platform will release interviews, documentaries, short films and vlogs. We’ll use artful storytelling to ask questions and seek answers. These stories and films will be produced by me, Kai Jackson and others. Sometimes we’ll put food on a grill and talk. Some discussions won’t involve a grill at all. The goal is to practice what I call LLE. Listen, learn and enlighten. Thanks for watching and engaging with Blackyard Grill. We’re telling your stories in your words.