Our daughter inspired a YouTube show that we started in our closet. Now we're set on creating an empire.
Arlene Hollingsworth took extra psychology clients to help fund Gracie's Corner. The family project eventually became a full-time business.
Dr. Javoris Hollingsworth and his wife, Dr. Arlene Hollingsworth, started a YouTube show called Gracie's Corner in their home during the pandemic. The couple, both professors, were looking for ways to keep their three kids entertained while also finding a way to get their daughters, particularly their 13-year-old daughter Gracey, involved in something creative.
They noticed the lack of diverse characters on YouTube and decided to create a show featuring Black characters that would make all kids feel seen. Initially, the show's videos had only a few hundred views, but as the company grew, their videos started getting more attention, and they even went viral in 2022. Dr. Hollingsworth resigned from his teaching position to work on Gracie's Corner full-time, and their private practice helped fund the show.
Dr. Hollingsworth described the business side of the company as more demanding, involving business acumen, meeting with partners, and overseeing the construction of a recording studio and office space. Their goal is to create something global, like Sesame Street, that can be passed down to their kids and have a lasting impact.
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