James DuBose facts for kids

James DuBose Jr (born December 4, 1969) is an American television producer, filmmaker, entertainment industry executive. He is widely recognized for his pioneering role as general manager and Head of Programming of Fox Soul for FOX Broadcasting Network, and is credited as CEO of In The Black Network, an advertising-based video on demand streaming network technically operated through Brightcove Inc.

Early life and family

Born and raised in the Southern US city of Greensboro, North Carolina, during a turning point of the Civil rights movement and throughout the pinnacle "desegregation and integration" era of Greensboro, James DuBose was raised as an only child by his hard-working mother, Mary Ann DuBose, a single parent who was employed at the local AMP plant.

Education

James attended Northeast Guilford Middle School before he transitioned to Northeast Guilford High School in McLeansville, North Carolina. He gained notable recognition as an elite athlete on both the football field and the basketball court. As a result, he gained a full athletic football scholarship at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with Communications as his focused major of study. On the sports side of his higher learning educational experience, DuBose was a major team player of WSU's college football roster, as a defensive end for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. As a senior, he was co-captain of the 1989 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. On May 21, 1990, James L. DuBose was officiated as a member of the Wake Forest University Graduating Class of 1990, presented with a Bachelor of Communications.

DuBose Entertainment

Before launching DuBose Entertainment, James DuBose served as President of Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs' Bad Boy Television under the Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment brand. For his role of results, DuBose is credited for his executive eye in bringing the 'real' to reel, captivating audiences while generating top-billing numbers.

In 2006, DuBose founded DuBose Entertainment. Within the first two-years of operation, the Los Angeles production company flourished to house forty-five employees. Projects under his DuBose Entertainment banner include Comic View: One Mic Stand with Kevin Hart, Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, Monica: Still Standing, Tiny and Toya, Toya: A Family Affair, Trey Songz: My Moment, The Michael Vick Project, and Hell Date.

Efforts to form a music branch under the DuBose Entertainment banner led DuBose to join forces with rapper MC Lyte. On August 27, 2009, MC Lyte took to her blog to announce the merger. "There is no doubt that James DuBose is a prolific producer," she wrote. "Who has become the go to guy for some of today's biggest names." Two-years later, the pair signed dancehall reggae artist Beenie Man to the music label. That same year, R&B singer Tweet joined the growing artist roster of DuBose Music Group. In 2013, Tweet released a five-track EP, "Simply Tweet," under the DuBose banner.

FOX Soul

On January 13, 2020, James DuBose lead the official live-streamed launch of Fox Soul, a digital television network and streaming service operated by Fox Television Stations, audience-accessed through various digital streaming platforms including YouTube, YouTube TV, Fox Now, Samsung +, Roku, Tubi, Amazon Fire TV, The Web, Apple TV, Stirr, FuboTV, IOS, Android, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.

In May 2021, with a reported 44-million count of viewers Fox Soul was green lit to expand its Black culture-fuelled programming in May 2021. With DuBose holding the seat of Head of Programming, the streaming service successfully entered into its second season. "The partnerships with black talent and creators that we have been able to forge to date, speaks volumes to how the community is feeling about us here at FOX SOUL," DuBose told PR and mainstream media outlets.

On September 30, 2022, Deadline Hollywood published word of FOX Soul's further expansion with a return of original FOX Soul flagship series on the network including The Black Report, The Book of Sean (hosted by Rev. Dr. Sean H. McMillian), The Business of Being Black with Tammi Mac, Cocktails with the Queens (co-hosted by Claudia Jordan, Vivica A. Fox, LisaRaye McCoy and Syleena Johnson), TEA G-I-F (co-hosted by Claudia Jordan, Al Reynolds and Funky Dineva aka Quentin Latham). "Fox Soul continues to expand on genres that we love, in a unique way. This fall, we are tapping further into music, sports and finance," said James DuBose, general manager and Head of Programming. "Fox Soul will continue to provide programming that tells the story behind the stories as we remain resolute in our mission to entertain, educate and inspire."

In February 2023, Fox Soul was recognized by the Biden White House as a game-changing network of choice trusted by 46th President of the United States of America Joe Biden. "The President was looking forward to an interview with Fox Soul to discuss the Super Bowl, the State of the Union, and critical issues impacting the everyday lives of Black Americans," read an announcement posted to the official Twitter account of 35th White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, surrounding the widely publicized pre-Super Bowl 57 presidential interview. "We’ve been informed that Fox Corp has asked for the interview to be cancelled." Jean-Pierre's social media announcement was highlighted by all mainstream media outlets including ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN. "The White House seeking out Fox Soul was seen as a way to have the president avoid appearing with a Fox News personality while still going through with an interview," wrote Politico California Bureau Chief Christopher Cadelago. "Biden’s team worked on landing an agreement with Fox Soul, a streaming outfit part of Fox’s TV stations division and geared toward a Black audience. White House officials had arranged for the interview to be conducted by Fox Sports host Mike Hill and actress Vivica A. Fox. Fox Soul general manager James DuBose had planned to produce the interview. All three flew Friday from Los Angeles to Washington for the interview."

In The Black Network (ITBN)

DuBose spent three years at Fox Soul, which launched in early 2020, before leaving in 2023 to set up ITBN.

On June 23, 2023, Deadline Hollywood published word announcing James DuBose had founded In The Black Network, an advertisement-based video on demand streaming service "that highlights Black voices and original stories." "Since its inception in October 2023 by CEO James DuBose, In The Black Network TV (“ITBN") has aimed to become the leading platform for Black creators and diverse audiences," writes Nickie E. Robinson for Madamenoire.com. "Its goal is to create a destination that highlights stories in a celebration of authenticity and unity." During an interview with National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) Let It Be Known morning news show, DuBose described In The Black Network as "a cultural phenomenon set to house a rich tapestry of entertainment meticulously curated from the vault of Fox Television Stations."

Within six-months of the initial launch, a music division was formed. On February 26, 2024, IN THE BLACK MUSIC, a division of James DuBose's IN THE BLACK NETWORK—in collaboration with the label "Red Eye Lifestyle"—released a ten-track album titled GAME 7 from North Carolina hip-hop lyricist, Joshua Gunn. DuBose and Gunn shared executive producer credits over the "Pay What You Want" marketed sound recording.

On March 22, 2024, Deadline Hollywood reported that Holly Davis Carter announced her "family, faith and lifestyle-focused MergeTV would be launched and carried on James DuBose's In The Black Network (ITBN). The rollout of a social media campaign featuring the DuBose and Carter together celebrating the newly established platform-partnership sewed with the purpose to present audiences with "elevated content, redeeming conversations and inspired entertainment" over INBN.

An article published by RollingOut.com, dated September 18, 2024, signifies InTheBlackNetwork.tv for "community-driven" content of influential value creating a "cultural legacy" the author drew in comparison to similarly constructed yet seasoned networks including Kathy Hughes' TV One and Oprah Winfrey's OWN.

Film

DuBose officiated his role as a film producer with the February 11, 2018 release of the Dame Dash-directed, one-hour and twenty-four-second Lionsgate film Honor Up. According to the Los Angeles Times, "Damon Dash directed and stars in this crime drama about an OG trying to protect his family after a shootout in Harlem. Written by Stuart Acher and James DuBose; story by Damon Dash and Kevin Bennett."

Philanthropy

DuBose is reported to have future plans to launch a television production camp for children of low-income families.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, The James DuBose Scholarship Program was created as a charitable resource for qualified candidates to gain financial assistance to post secondary study in the United States across multiple disciplines.

Awards and nominations

On September 8, 2022, James DuBose was named a trailblazing figure during the Sheen Magazine Awards show. In a press release, the Black PR Wire published word of the event held in Atlanta, Georgia. Hosted by Dish Nation commentator Headkrack, the awards show was streamed live from the Sheraton Hotel Atlanta over the Fox Soul streaming network.

Filmography