James DuBose facts for kids

James DuBose Jr. (born December 4, 1969) is an American television producer, filmmaker, and a leader in the entertainment world. He is well-known for being the first general manager and Head of Programming for Fox Soul, a digital TV network from FOX. He is also the CEO of In The Black Network, which is a streaming service where you can watch videos with ads.

Early life and family

James DuBose grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, a city in the Southern U.S. He was born during an important time called the Civil rights movement. This was when people worked to end unfair treatment and bring everyone together. James was raised by his mother, Mary Ann DuBose, who worked hard at a local factory. He was an only child.

Education

James went to Northeast Guilford Middle School and then Northeast Guilford High School in McLeansville, North Carolina. He was a great athlete in both football and basketball. Because of his skills, he earned a full football scholarship to Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There, he studied Communications.

At Wake Forest, James was an important player on the college football team, playing as a defensive end for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. In his final year, he was a co-captain of the team. James DuBose graduated from Wake Forest University on May 21, 1990, with a degree in Communications.

DuBose Entertainment

Before starting his own company, DuBose Entertainment, James DuBose was the President of Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs' Bad Boy Television. He was known for finding real-life stories and turning them into popular TV shows that many people watched.

In 2006, James DuBose created DuBose Entertainment. In just two years, his production company in Los Angeles grew to have 45 employees. Some of the projects his company worked on 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.

James also wanted to start a music part of his company. He teamed up with rapper MC Lyte. In 2009, MC Lyte shared that they were working together, saying James DuBose was a "prolific producer." Later, they signed artists like dancehall reggae artist Beenie Man and R&B singer Tweet. In 2013, Tweet released an album called "Simply Tweet" under DuBose's music label.

FOX Soul

On January 13, 2020, James DuBose led the launch of Fox Soul. This is a digital TV network and streaming service run by Fox Television Stations. You can watch it on many platforms like YouTube, Fox Now, Roku, Tubi, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

By May 2021, Fox Soul had about 44 million viewers. It was given the green light to expand its shows that focus on Black culture. With James DuBose as the Head of Programming, the service successfully started its second season. He said that the partnerships with Black artists and creators showed how the community felt about FOX Soul.

In September 2022, Deadline Hollywood announced that FOX Soul would expand even more. They brought back popular shows like The Black Report and Cocktails with the Queens. James DuBose said that FOX Soul would keep offering shows that tell "the story behind the stories" and aim to entertain, educate, and inspire.

In February 2023, Fox Soul was recognized by the White House as a trusted network. President Joe Biden wanted to have an interview with Fox Soul to talk about 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 before he left in 2023 to start his own company, In The Black Network (ITBN).

On June 23, 2023, Deadline Hollywood announced that James DuBose had created In The Black Network. This is a streaming service that shows "Black voices and original stories." Nickie E. Robinson from Madamenoire.com wrote that ITBN wants to be the best place for Black creators and different audiences. Its goal is to celebrate real stories and bring people together. James DuBose described ITBN as a "cultural phenomenon" that will offer many types of entertainment from the Fox Television Stations archives.

Within six months of starting, ITBN also launched a music division. In February 2024, IN THE BLACK MUSIC released an album called GAME 7 by hip-hop artist Joshua Gunn. James DuBose was an executive producer for this album.

In March 2024, Deadline Hollywood reported that Holly Davis Carter's MergeTV, which focuses on family, faith, and lifestyle, would be available on ITBN. This partnership aims to give audiences "elevated content" and "inspired entertainment."

An article from RollingOut.com in September 2024 praised InTheBlackNetwork.tv for its "community-driven" content. The author compared its cultural importance to other well-known networks like Kathy Hughes' TV One and Oprah Winfrey's OWN.

Film

James DuBose became a film producer with the movie Honor Up, which came out on February 11, 2018. This crime drama was directed by Damon Dash. James DuBose helped write the story for the film.

Philanthropy

James DuBose plans to start a television production camp for children from families who don't have a lot of money. This camp would teach them about making TV shows.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, James DuBose also created The James DuBose Scholarship Program. This program helps students who qualify get money to go to college in the United States for different subjects.

Awards and nominations

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

Filmography