Kenya Barris, known for creating the hit series "Black-ish," is open about his decision to turn down a $100 million deal with Netflix that began in 2018. This multi-year agreement placed him among industry giants like Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy but followed his departure from Disney-owned ABC, which occurred after ABC chose not to air a politically charged episode of "Black-ish." Barris explained on the "Rich Roll" podcast that his choice to leave ABC was a stand for his values, even though it came with professional risks.

During his time with Netflix, Barris launched projects including the mockumentary sitcom "Black AF," which lasted one season, as well as executive producing "Astronomy Club: The Sketch Show" and producing the animated series "We the People." Despite these efforts, he received an offer from ViacomCBS and BET that, although not matching Netflix’s financial terms exactly, proposed equity ownership in a Black-owned studio—an opportunity Barris saw as unprecedented and aligned with his desire to build something for the Black community.

Barris described the move to BET as a gamble overshadowed by significant challenges. Shortly after his signing, the executive who brought him in was fired, and the company faced upheaval, including dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This turmoil stalled Barris’s ability to sell content for nearly four years, even during the peak of his career, forcing him to rely on alternate creative outlets like film and podcasting to continue working.

Reflecting on his career path, Barris is unsure if the decision was ultimately wise, but things eventually improved after his difficult tenure at BET. He is currently working on “Diarra from Detroit,” a show streaming on Paramount that has completed two seasons. His experience underscores the complexities and uncertainties creators face when weighing lucrative deals versus ownership and creative control in the evolving entertainment industry.