Kenya Barris Joins Revolt's 'Bet on Black' as HBCU Founders Vie for $500,000

Kenya Barris has joined Revolt as executive producer of the sixth season of Bet on Black, a revamped reality series in which HBCU student founders compete for a share of a $500,000 growth fund while retaining 100% equity in their businesses.

The new season premiered Oct. 19. Barris, creator of Black-ish and Grown-ish, called his first project with Revolt a return to unscripted television, the field where he built early experience on America's Next Top Model.

What changes in season six?

The refreshed format puts founders from Historically Black Colleges and Universities at the center. They receive hands-on mentorship and access to the growth fund, and they keep every share of their companies. The show marks Barris' first work with Revolt since the company named him vice chair of its creative studio, Revolt Labs.

It also reunites Barris with actor Marsai Martin, who hosts the series. Martin played Diane Johnson, the youngest daughter on Black-ish, and the two had not worked together since that ABC show concluded.

Barris told ADWEEK the series' name drew him in and that promoting the next generation of entrepreneurs appealed to him. He praised Revolt's execution, saying it was done "at a higher level than I even thought that it could be done."

He said investing in Black founders, especially those from predominantly Black universities, matters so they are presented in a better light rather than caught up in negative assertions about Black culture. Of the founders' ideas, Barris said their ingenuity and brilliance will better the world and make their big ideas sellable.

How deep does Target's backing go?

Target has sponsored Bet on Black for all six seasons, since 2021. Its partnership with Revolt has directed roughly $2.69 million to Black founders and their businesses — about $450,000 per season on average — through access to capital, resources, and growth opportunities.

This season, Target invested $500,000 in the growth fund. It is also backing the show's marketing across TV, digital, CTV, YouTube, social, on-site, and influencer channels.

Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels said Target's continued investment signifies "the importance of building mission-driven and purpose-driven brands." He added that building a profitable company with great products is not enough: "You also have to help create the world that your audience wants to live in."

Samuels said Revolt has committed to uplifting the Black community and solving some of its biggest problems, and that Target's partnership reflects an advertiser willing to do that work alongside them.

Why does the Barris–Martin reunion matter?

Samuels placed Barris among the top tier of working creators: "Beyond just a Black space, I would very easily say [Barris] is one of the most prolific minds out right now, creating."

Barris said he is proud of how all the Black-ish kids turned out, and singled out Martin as "a spark of energy and a spark of light." He said she has known how to handle herself from her first day on the Black-ish set through their reunion on Bet on Black.

"It was really special to me," Barris said.

With Barris in the executive producer chair, Martin hosting, and Target's capital behind the fund, Revolt has positioned Bet on Black as both entertainment and a direct investment channel for HBCU founders — one where equity stays with the entrepreneurs.