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HBO’s latest docuseries Seen & Heard is more than just a chronicle of Black storytelling in Hollywood, it’s a resounding declaration of its power, legacy, and ongoing fight for visibility. Directed by Giselle Bailey, the series delves into the evolution of Black representation on screen, amplifying the voices of trailblazers who shaped the industry and those pushing it forward today. Through personal narratives, archival footage, and candid reflections, Seen & Heard unpacks the cultural impact of Black cinema and television, shedding light on the triumphs, struggles, and systemic barriers that have defined its history.
In an exclusive interview with Black Girl Nerds over at SXSW, Bailey shares her vision behind the project, the challenges of crafting such a comprehensive narrative, and the urgent need for authentic representation in entertainment. From the early pioneers to the groundbreaking creators of today, Seen & Heard stands as a testament to the resilience and influence of Black storytelling. The series is also produced by Issa Rae.
Seen & Heard takes a dynamic time-traveling approach to storytelling. How did you and your team decide to take on this structure and what challenges come with weaving these different eras together?
We wanted to make sure that we were showing cycles. And so my natural inclination a lot of the time is to not necessarily tell a story in a linear way, because I think that’s the best way you can see, the progress come and then kind of fall and start over. And so that’s really how we tracked the two episodes. The first one is talking about Black people just being present on television. It was also important to me to show all kind of the social issues, the political issues that were happening around those moments, and even how some of them were playing out on screen. As we got more agency, we were able to put more of our own content on television, and that’s where you see the heyday of the 90s, and then everything crashes. And you hear about titans like Shonda, Oprah or Tyler Perry, talking about fighting from the bottom. I think we forget about that. When we see people who are successful, we forget about what it took. And so I really wanted to make sure you saw them filled from the ground up.
What do you see as the biggest milestone in this journey so far?
That’s interesting. I don’t know if it’s happened yet or if it’s yet to come. Because of the way that history is repeating itself, I certainly think the Norman Lear-era kind of changing from that into… okay, we’re not just on TV. And also, I hope it comes through in that era, how much, even though people weren’t necessarily Black, people weren’t necessarily writing the material, it was their essence. It was their improv that was really making those shows sing. But then there’s a moment where people are really able to craft the story, define their own narrative. Debbie Allen, for example, for me, is the godmother of Black television.
What do you think still needs to change for Black representation in television, to truly be sustainable and equitable?
Ownership. Figuratively and literally we have to be able to define our own destiny. So it’s creatively being able to tell our stories, but also it’s about owning the companies, owning the distribution, building together to create our own sources of financing so we’re not dependent on the industry to give us an opportunity.
How did your collaboration with Issa Rae help shape the direction of the documentary?
Issa is creatively involved. Her notes, her thoughts, her own experiences growing up really shaped the documentary. Issa was born in the United States, but she lived in Senegal, and you’ll see more of that in the documentary, and then moved back. And so her experience, she took a bunch of their family, recorded a bunch of Black shows, and took them with them. And she really came up with those shows. I’m an immigrant to the US. I’m Jamaican, but I lived in a few different countries, as we were making our way into the United States, and when I got here, we landed in the south, which was alienating for me, because of the specific environment I was in. There weren’t a lot of Black people, and so the Black shows really gave me community. So some of those experiences, the similarities and the differences, really helped shape I think the project.
How do you see the role of streaming platforms in shaping the future of Black television, and are they more of a help or a hindrance?
I think like any technology or any system, it’s to be used. We can’t let it use us. Streaming is where we are in the landscape of television. Whether it’s where we’re going is really going to be based on us, you know what I’m saying? So I think we can see that it helped us at certain points. We also can see how having agency and creating our own content, putting it out digitally, has really shifted television and could shift it again. So, yeah, I think it’s about how do we use these things, or how do we make our own?
Seen & Heard made its debut at the 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival and is coming soon to MAX.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
The post Giselle Bailey Explores the Legacy of Black Storytelling in HBO’s ‘Seen & Heard’ appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
HBO’s latest docuseries Seen & Heard is more than just a chronicle of Black storytelling in Hollywood, it’s a resounding declaration of its power, legacy, and ongoing fight for visibility. Directed by Giselle Bailey, the series delves into the evolution of Black representation on screen, amplifying the voices of trailblazers who shaped the industry and those pushing it forward today. Through personal narratives, archival footage, and candid reflections, Seen & Heard unpacks the cultural impact of Black cinema and television, shedding light on the triumphs, struggles, and systemic barriers that have defined its history.
In an exclusive interview with Black Girl Nerds over at SXSW, Bailey shares her vision behind the project, the challenges of crafting such a comprehensive narrative, and the urgent need for authentic representation in entertainment. From the early pioneers to the groundbreaking creators of today, Seen & Heard stands as a testament to the resilience and influence of Black storytelling. The series is also produced by Issa Rae.
Seen & Heard takes a dynamic time-traveling approach to storytelling. How did you and your team decide to take on this structure and what challenges come with weaving these different eras together?
We wanted to make sure that we were showing cycles. And so my natural inclination a lot of the time is to not necessarily tell a story in a linear way, because I think that’s the best way you can see, the progress come and then kind of fall and start over. And so that’s really how we tracked the two episodes. The first one is talking about Black people just being present on television. It was also important to me to show all kind of the social issues, the political issues that were happening around those moments, and even how some of them were playing out on screen. As we got more agency, we were able to put more of our own content on television, and that’s where you see the heyday of the 90s, and then everything crashes. And you hear about titans like Shonda, Oprah or Tyler Perry, talking about fighting from the bottom. I think we forget about that. When we see people who are successful, we forget about what it took. And so I really wanted to make sure you saw them filled from the ground up.
What do you see as the biggest milestone in this journey so far?
That’s interesting. I don’t know if it’s happened yet or if it’s yet to come. Because of the way that history is repeating itself, I certainly think the Norman Lear-era kind of changing from that into… okay, we’re not just on TV. And also, I hope it comes through in that era, how much, even though people weren’t necessarily Black, people weren’t necessarily writing the material, it was their essence. It was their improv that was really making those shows sing. But then there’s a moment where people are really able to craft the story, define their own narrative. Debbie Allen, for example, for me, is the godmother of Black television.
What do you think still needs to change for Black representation in television, to truly be sustainable and equitable?
Ownership. Figuratively and literally we have to be able to define our own destiny. So it’s creatively being able to tell our stories, but also it’s about owning the companies, owning the distribution, building together to create our own sources of financing so we’re not dependent on the industry to give us an opportunity.
How did your collaboration with Issa Rae help shape the direction of the documentary?
Issa is creatively involved. Her notes, her thoughts, her own experiences growing up really shaped the documentary. Issa was born in the United States, but she lived in Senegal, and you’ll see more of that in the documentary, and then moved back. And so her experience, she took a bunch of their family, recorded a bunch of Black shows, and took them with them. And she really came up with those shows. I’m an immigrant to the US. I’m Jamaican, but I lived in a few different countries, as we were making our way into the United States, and when I got here, we landed in the south, which was alienating for me, because of the specific environment I was in. There weren’t a lot of Black people, and so the Black shows really gave me community. So some of those experiences, the similarities and the differences, really helped shape I think the project.
How do you see the role of streaming platforms in shaping the future of Black television, and are they more of a help or a hindrance?
I think like any technology or any system, it’s to be used. We can’t let it use us. Streaming is where we are in the landscape of television. Whether it’s where we’re going is really going to be based on us, you know what I’m saying? So I think we can see that it helped us at certain points. We also can see how having agency and creating our own content, putting it out digitally, has really shifted television and could shift it again. So, yeah, I think it’s about how do we use these things, or how do we make our own?
Seen & Heard made its debut at the 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival and is coming soon to MAX.
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
The post Giselle Bailey Explores the Legacy of Black Storytelling in HBO’s ‘Seen & Heard’ appeared first on Black Girl Nerds.
After premiering in the United Kingdom in 2010 and in the United States in 2011, Downton Abbey quickly permeated the cultural zeitgeist. Created by Julian Fellowes, this 20th-century historical British drama captured the attention of audiences worldwide. Beyond viewers, the series was also critically acclaimed, taking home six Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, four SAG Awards, and two BAFTA Awards during its six-season run, and a third movie is on the way.
Fans adore the aristocratic Crawley family and the hardworking servants who attend them. With so many memorable characters to choose from, it’s hard to narrow them down, but as matriarch Violet Crawley would advise, “Don’t be defeatist, dear, it’s very middle class.” So, let’s keep calm and carry on. Here are the 10 best Downton Abbey characters ranked for your consideration.
10. William Mason
William, played by Thomas Howes, is the second footman at Downton Abbey. William wanted to work with horses, but his mother wanted a better life for her son and pushed him into household service. This kind, honest, and hard-working man was often the victim of first footman Thomas Barrow’s vitriol, but everyone has a breaking point. When Thomas pushed him too far after the death of his mother, William punched him in the face. No one blamed him.
No ‘Small’ Cons
There are no ‘small cons’, only small minds.
Wherever two or more Blerds gather, something sacred is birthed. For so long, Black folks who were enthralled by the greater popular culture were isolated and ridiculed for their interests. But fam, it’s 2025, and we no longer have to live like that! There are whole conventions designed with Blerds in mind. One of the most prominent in the country, BlerDCon! The theme for 2025 was “Thrilla” and it was a blast. I was just there this past weekend, and it was a needed breath of fresh air.
Intersectionality is the name of the game at BlerDCon. For those that don’t know, intersectionality (coined by Kimberlee Crenshaw) is a method for identifying the layers of oppression you face based on the layers of your identity. It implies that if you are Black, you are also a bunch of other things as well. BlerDCon designs its programming to engage as many intersections as it can. That level of intentional inclusion is not commonplace, much less in nerdy spaces. Mind you, no organized event is perfect and there are some blindspots at BlerDCon too – but dammit, the uplifting and positive atmosphere of the event makes those moments easy to forget. Before this goes full think piece, let’s dive into the experience!
Blerdy Atmosphere
Until you have walked into a room with fifty plus other Blerds in cosplay to witness an Anime-themed rap battle, you have not lived on the Black side of nerd culture. Watching a competitor spit bars about [checks notes] getting someone ‘laid out like Snorlax on Route 12’ and seeing people in the audience make the nasty face in response was a thing of beauty. Until you have had to stop short walking the convention floor because a group of women in Akatsuki cosplay just had to put hands on knees and throw it in a circle for a song playing, you have not lived on the Black side of nerd culture. This is the atmosphere of BlerDCon: a spontaneous and celebratory Blackness that feels like what we imagine freedom to be.
A Bit of Me
Along with the pop-up brilliance of Black nerdom is the planned communal experiences provided by the con. Programming says a lot about a convention. So when I opened the app to plan out what my weekend was going to look like, I was struck with paralysis. There was just too much I was interested in going to. I’m looking at a calendar that reflects so many aspects of my identity that I can’t choose where to go!
Yes, I want to hang out with the horror homies and celebrate the life of Tony Todd. And I want to jam out to anime remixes in an open plaza with one-hundred consoles plugged in. Maybe I’m just as interested in redesigning my resume for a job in the nerd media sector as I am exploring the boundaries of consent and kink. No matter where I looked, I saw myself, and that is a rare thing to experience as a Black nerd. BlerDCon expresses as much of the full spectrum of blerdom as can be.
Mind Your Black Business(es)
Where else can you buy an honest to Bast satin lined Dragonball Durag with a drawstring for different hair styles? Vendor and artist tables lined up and decked out with the coolest pieces imaginable. To be clear, the aesthetic is very, ‘but make it Black’ and it feels so good. There was a twenty-minute stretch where I kept pacing back and forth past a large tapestry featuring Huey, Riley, and Jasmine from The Boondocks as characters from Attack on Titan with Uncle Ruckus as the Colossal Titan. I was searching desperately for a reason to buy it. I don’t often have that feeling, where I look to spend money. It felt so good to speak to and vibe with artisans while giving them money for their very cool merchandise. I overpaid on purpose and most vendors gave me more than I paid for. For no reason other than that we wanted to. Peak positivity all around.
The Only AI I Trust
A highlight for the whole con was the addition of Janelle Monae to the programming. She didn’t send somebody in her place, she really popped out! In fully self-referential cosplay as The ArchAndroid. Which, we found out live at a panel (moderated by Sailor Victoria!) just for BlerDCon, is also the name of her upcoming graphic novel! It continues the story from the Metropolis and ArchAndroid albums following messianic android Cindi Mayweather on a journey to save the world from itself.
When I tell you Ms. Monae came through in a head-to-toe latex get up complete with a matching up-do, heels, and dope shades – I mean it! Not only was the look epic but her authenticity in coming out as a Black nerd aligned perfectly with the event. Janelle showed up to the con for the first time and said it already felt like home. Can’t ask for a better vibe than that.
We Was Outside!!!!
All in all, BlerDCon 2025 was amazing, authentic, and intersectional in a way that is hard to replicate. Just know there was more cosplay than the eye could ever behold. I don’t even have the space in this article to talk about it, but please check out BlerDCon’s Instagram and show some love! Bless the organizers of this event, truly. Shortcomings and miscommunications are inevitable with any event. But even with those prebaked into any convention, BlerDCon brings a down-home feeling that supersedes those less-than-perfect moments. Next year’s BlerDCon is titled “GEEK-NIK!” and will run from March 6th through March 8th, 2026.
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The post BlerDCon 2025 Recap: Black On Black Blerdery appeared first on Black Nerd Problems.
The Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) is a Pokémon battle simulation tabletop game. It may seem daunting to start playing a game that has been around since 1996 and features over 1000 different Pocket Monsters. But the amount of beginner-friendly products and community resources available today makes it easier than ever to learn the rules and jump right into a Pokémon battle with a friend. We’re going to break down everything a new player needs to know to play the game, purchase starter decks and supplies, and join the larger Pokémon TCG community to participate in tournaments.
Jump To: The Basics // How The Game Works // Decks and Products Breakdown // Starter Supplies and Accessories // Online Resources for Beginners // Pokémon TCG Tournaments and Community
The Basics of the Pokémon TCG
The Pokémon TCG pits two Pokémon Trainers against one another in a Pokémon battle. The first player to knock out six opposing Pokémon and claim all six of their Prize cards is the winner. Being a collectible card game, cards are acquired by purchasing pre-made decks, opening booster packs, buying single cards, or trading cards with trusted friends.
How a Game of the Pokémon TCG Works
The Pokémon TCG is easy to learn but hard to master. We’re going to cover the broad strokes of how the game works here, but before you start playing we recommend taking the time to read the official Pokémon TCG Rule Book or, if you want to jump right into a match, the Pokémon TCG Quick Start Rules.
Building a Pokémon Deck 101
To get started, each player assembles a deck of 60 cards using the three different types of cards. There are Pokémon cards to deal damage and use abilities, Trainer cards to search your deck for Pokémon and provide other useful effects, and Energy cards to enable your Pokémon to attack. For beginners, it’s recommended to build your deck with about 15-20 Pokémon cards, 15-25 Trainer cards, and 15-18 Energy cards.
As any Pokémon fan knows, a Pokémon’s Type plays an important role in achieving victory. There are 10 different Types of Pokémon in the Pokémon TCG: Grass, Fire, Water, Lightning, Fighting, Darkness, Psychic, Metal, Normal, and Dragon. Each Type represents a different strategy, such as Fire’s strong but costly attacks or Grass’s ability to tank big hits and heal away the damage. Playing Energy cards of the appropriate Type allows you to use your Pokémon’s attacks in battle. We suggest choosing just one or two Types to focus on for your first deck.
To make an effective deck, pick one or two Pokémon you really like to be your main attacker. Then fill the rest of the deck with other Pokémon and Trainer cards that complement and support those Pokémon. Make sure to keep an eye on the Weakness Type of your Pokémon, as noted at the bottom of the card. If your Pokémon is attacked by a Pokémon Type that it’s weak to, it will take double damage. Make sure your deck has Pokémon with at least two different Weakness Types to avoid getting blown out of the water by a single Type.
How to Start the Pokémon TCG
In order to start a game, both players draw a hand of seven cards and choose one Basic Pokémon (i.e., a Pokémon that doesn’t need to evolve) to be their Active Pokémon. To finish setting up, each player takes six cards off the top of their deck and sets them to the side face down. These are your Prize cards and are key to how you win the game. From there, players take turns playing additional Pokémon, using Trainer cards, attaching Energy, and announcing attacks to deal damage or utilize effects.
There are three different ways to win a game of the Pokémon TCG. The first and most common way to win is to take all of your Prize cards. Whenever you knock out an opposing Pokémon, you draw one Prize card. The first player to take all six of their prize cards is declared the winner. Some Pokémon are extra powerful and are therefore worth multiple Prize cards when knocked out. For example, Pokémon ex are worth two Prize cards when knocked out. Additionally, if a player has no more Pokémon left in play or if they have no cards left in their deck at the start of their turn, they lose the game.
Jump To: The Basics // How The Game Works // Decks and Products Breakdown // Starter Supplies and Accessories // Online Resources for Beginners // Pokémon TCG Tournaments and Community
What Decks and Basic Products Do I Need for the Pokémon TCG?
If you’re new to strategy card games, we recommend beginning your Pokémon TCG journey by purchasing a pair of Starter Decks and playing with a friend. A Starter Deck is ready to play right out of the box. It comes with a paper playmat, cardboard gameplay tokens, and a guide to the Quick Start Rules. The decks are designed to be new-player friendly with cards that have simple effects and basic strategies that are easy to pick up on fast.
Alternatively, new players may want to check out the Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy. This product is packaged like a board game and is designed to teach new players the ropes. Another product great for learning the game are the Pokémon TCG: My First Battle decks. They come with two mini-decks that are played with simplified rules. This helps you grasp the basics before jumping into a full game.
Perhaps this isn’t your first TCG rodeo and you already have experience playing these types of card games. In that case, you’ll want to pick up a “Play Level 2” pre-constructed Pokémon TCG: ex Deluxe Battle Deck. This one is meant for intermediate players. For more advanced players, we recommend a Play Level 3 pre-built League Battle Deck. These read-to-play decks utilize more complex strategies and come with powerful cards often used by top-level competitors. Best of all, they are easy to upgrade when you’re ready to start playing in tournaments with other Pokémon Trainers.
If you’re a seasoned TCG player who prefers to create their own deck from scratch, then pick up the Pokémon TCG: Trainer’s Toolkit. It contains 50+ cards that are often used as the foundation of the best competitive decks. This kit also comes with all of the accessories and game pieces needed to play in a tournament.
The Best Starting Supplies and Accessories for the Pokémon TCG
Once you have your Pokémon deck in-hand, it’s time to acquire some practical and decorative accessories. Card sleeves protect your cards and make it easier to shuffle. Deck boxes keep your deck safe during travel. Playmats give you a clean surface to play on and make it easy to pick up and move around your cards. Best of all, these supplies come in all manner of color and design, so feel free to customize your look and express yourself just as the many colorful characters of the Pokémon universe like to do.
In order to play the Pokémon TCG, you’ll need a coin for flipping and dice to keep track of damage on your Pokémon. It’s not uncommon for some Pokémon players to forego flipping a coin in favor of rolling a die and calling odds/evens instead of heads/tails. For damage counter dice, a handful of standard six-sided dice will do, with each pip representing 10 damage.
Helpful Online Resources for Pokémon TCG Beginners
The best way to learn the Pokémon TCG and get better is to play the game yourself and to watch other, more experienced players. There are plenty of ways to do both online.
There are currently two digital clients for the game. Pokémon TCG Pocket is a great way to get your feet wet because it sports a short and sweet version of the game. To play the full game online, there’s Pokémon TCG Live. Both games are free to play and have tutorials to help you learn how to play.
There is no shortage of Pokémon TCG content to watch online. Official Pokémon TCG broadcasts are great to watch because the commentators explain what the cards do and break down each player’s strategy. YouTube is an excellent resource for players of all skill levels. Pokémon TCG content creators do everything from make deck guides and tier lists to demonstrating gameplay and streaming tournament runs.
The online Pokémon TCG community is extremely expansive and active. Between Discord, Reddit, and social media, it’s easy to find others to ask for advice and make new battle buddies with.
How to Play in Tournaments and Join the Larger Pokémon TCG Community
Once you feel comfortable with your ability to play the Pokémon TCG, you can seek out others to battle at your local game shop. Use Pokémon’s event locator to seek out a Pokémon League near you. Pokémon Leagues are a great place to learn more about the game and make friends with other Pokémon Trainers. They usually host a weekly casual tournament or sometimes just provide a place to play with others for fun. Leagues award attending players with free Play! Pokémon Prize Packs that contain special versions of powerful competitive cards.
If you feel ready to embark on your journey to become a Pokémon TCG master, then you can start playing in official tournaments that award the top finishers Championship Points (CP). There are different sized tournaments, from the smaller League Challenges and League Cups to the massive Regional Championships and International Championships. Those who perform well enough throughout the season and earn enough CP will be invited to play in the Pokémon TCG World Championship.
Regardless of whether you go on to become the next world champ or simply enjoy playing at the kitchen table with a loved one, remember the most important thing to do when playing the Pokémon TCG is to use Hyper Beam on your enemies have fun.
Jump To: The Basics // How The Game Works // Decks and Products Breakdown // Starter Supplies and Accessories // Online Resources for Beginners // Pokémon TCG Tournaments and Community
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