MTV Entertainment Studios and Bassett Vance Productions hire award-winning writer Nathan Alan Davis for limited series on Tulsa racing massacre

NEW YORK–(COMMERCIAL THREAD) – MTV Entertainment Studios and Bassett Vance Productions announced today that award-winning playwright Nathan Alan Davis will write an original, scripted limited series inspired by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, considered the country’s worst racial violence incident. American history.

A century after the devastating event that left hundreds dead and entire homes and businesses destroyed, the series will be the first dramatic adaptation devoted to telling the story of the Greenwood District in Tulsa which was then the community. richest black woman in the United States. United States and known as “Black Wall Street”.

“As storytellers – along with Courtney, Angela and Nathan – we have the privilege of highlighting a devastating event in our history that is important, necessary and that still resonates 100 years later,” said Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and Creative Director at MTV Entertainment Group. “This partnership underscores our shared commitment to bringing diverse voices to the table and creating content that our global audiences crave, that is both timely and insightful. ”

“Angela and I have always had a deep appreciation for history, especially when it comes to stories rooted in the black community. We look forward to working on this series with MTV Entertainment Studios which will explore an important slice of American history as we seek to reflect on the events that changed the lives of countless black families in Tulsa, Oklahoma one hundred years ago ” said Courtney B. Vance, director at Bassett Vance Productions. “We are excited to be working with Nathan as his vision aligns directly with the story Angela and I want to tell. Although the series revisits the pain and tragedy of black people that took place on May 31 and June 1, 1921 , she will also be important to many present the stories of the amazing and enterprising people who built Black Wall Street and all that this community has accomplished.

Davis added, “I am honored to partner with Courtney, Angela, MTV Entertainment Studios and their amazing teams in this vital endeavor. Exploring the history of the Greenwood District in Tulsa as a limited drama series offers us precious opportunity and deep responsibility. I really can’t wait to create a story that will not only spotlight the people of Black Wall Street, but also breathe new life into the spirit, ideas, hopes, fears and dreams that motivated them.

This is Bassett Vance Productions’ first project under the deal with MTV Entertainment Studios in 2020. After working as a screenwriter for projects such as BET’s American soul and Facebook Watch Sorry for your loss, this marks Davis’ first run as a show creator after receiving several awards for his produced pieces, including Nat Turner in Jerusalem, Dontrell who kissed the sea and The wind and the breeze. He previously provided an interpretation of the Tulsa Massacre for his play, The high ground, which is set to premiere at the Arena Stage in Washington DC

Meghan Hooper White, Executive Vice President and Head of Original Films and Limited Series and Vice President of Original Films and Limited Series, Amal Baggar will oversee the project for MTV Entertainment Studios. Bassett and Vance will produce the series, along with Dwayne Johnson-Cochran and Lynnette Ramirez for Bassett Vance Productions.

Davis is replaced by ICM and managed by Literate. Bassett Vance Productions is replaced by Darrell Miller, Fox Rothschild LLP. Bahareh Kamali negotiated the deal for MTV Entertainment Studios.