James DuBose facts for kids

James DuBose Jr. (born December 4, 1969) is an American television producer and business leader. He is known for his important role at Fox Soul, a digital TV network. He was the general manager and head of programming there. James DuBose also started his own streaming network called In The Black Network. This network shows videos on demand and is supported by advertisements.

Early Life and Education

James DuBose grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina. He was raised by his mother, Mary Ann DuBose. She worked at a local factory.

High School and College Sports

DuBose went to Northeast Guilford Middle School. Later, he attended Northeast Guilford High School in McLeansville, North Carolina. He was a talented athlete in both football and basketball. Because of his skills, he earned a full football scholarship to Wake Forest University. This university is in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Studying Communications

At Wake Forest, DuBose studied Communications. He was a key player on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons college football team. He played as a defensive end. In his final year, he was a co-captain of the team. James DuBose graduated from Wake Forest University in 1990. He earned a Bachelor of Communications degree.

DuBose Entertainment

Before starting his own company, James DuBose worked for Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy. He was the president of Bad Boy Television. This was part of the Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment company. DuBose was good at creating shows that people loved to watch.

Starting His Own Production Company

In 2006, DuBose started his own company, DuBose Entertainment. Within two years, his Los Angeles-based company had 45 employees. They produced many popular TV shows.

Popular TV Shows Produced

Some of the projects from DuBose Entertainment include:

• ComicView: 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
• Hell Date

Music Ventures

DuBose also wanted to create a music part of his company. He teamed up with rapper MC Lyte. In 2009, MC Lyte announced their partnership. She said James DuBose was a "prolific producer." Later, they signed dancehall reggae artist Beenie Man to their music label. In the same year, R&B singer Tweet also joined DuBose Music Group. In 2013, Tweet released an album called Simply Tweet under DuBose's company.

FOX Soul

On January 13, 2020, James DuBose led the launch of Fox Soul. This is a digital television network and streaming service. It is run by Fox Television Stations. People can watch Fox Soul on many platforms. These include YouTube, YouTube TV, Fox Now, Samsung +, Roku, Tubi, Amazon Fire TV, The Web, Apple TV, Stirr, FuboTV, IOS, Android, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Growing Popularity and Programming

By May 2021, Fox Soul had 44 million viewers. The network was approved to expand its programming, which focuses on Black culture. With DuBose as the head of programming, Fox Soul successfully started its second season. DuBose said that the partnerships with Black talent showed how the community felt about Fox Soul.

Expanding Content and Reach

In September 2022, Deadline Hollywood reported that Fox Soul was expanding even more. They brought back popular shows like The Black Report and Cocktails with the Queens. James DuBose stated that Fox Soul would continue to offer programming that tells "the story behind the stories." He added that their goal is to entertain, educate, and inspire.

White House Recognition

In February 2023, the White House recognized Fox Soul. President Joe Biden considered it a trusted network. He planned an interview with Fox Soul to discuss important issues for Black Americans. This showed how important Fox Soul had become.

In The Black Network (ITBN)

James DuBose worked at Fox Soul for three years. In 2023, he left to create his new company, In The Black Network (ITBN).

Launching a New Streaming Service

On June 23, 2023, Deadline Hollywood announced DuBose had founded In The Black Network. This streaming service focuses on "Black voices and original stories." Nickie E. Robinson wrote for Madamenoire.com that ITBN aims to be a top platform for Black creators. DuBose described ITBN as a "cultural phenomenon." He said it would offer a rich collection of entertainment from the Fox Television Stations vault.

Music and Partnerships

Within six months of its launch, ITBN started a music division. In February 2024, In The Black Music released an album called Game 7 by Joshua Gunn. DuBose was an executive producer for this album. In March 2024, Holly Davis Carter announced that her MergeTV would be available on ITBN. This partnership aims to provide "elevated content" and "inspired entertainment."

Cultural Impact

A 2024 article by RollingOut.com praised InTheBlackNetwork.tv. It called the content "community-driven" and said it was creating a "cultural legacy." The article compared ITBN to other well-known networks like Kathy Hughes' TV One and Oprah Winfrey's OWN.

Film Work

James DuBose became a film producer with the movie Honor Up. This film was released on February 11, 2018. It was directed by Damon Dash and distributed by Lionsgate. The Los Angeles Times described it as a crime drama about a character trying to protect his family.

Giving Back to the Community

James DuBose has plans to help others. He wants to start a television production camp for children from low-income families.

Scholarship Program

During the COVID-19 pandemic, DuBose created the James DuBose Scholarship Program. This program helps students get financial aid for college studies in the U.S.

Awards and Recognition

On September 8, 2022, James DuBose was honored as a trailblazing figure. This award was given at the Sheen Magazine Awards show. The event was held in Atlanta, Georgia, and streamed live on Fox Soul.

Filmography