New Sci-Fi/Drama & Comic Introduces Harlem’s Youngest Hero:

A Little Black Girl Fighting Racism & Gentrification

New York (July 31, 2018) - From Executive Producers Riley S. Wilson (Orange Bright) and Lisa Cortés (Precious) comes a sci-fi/drama series with a 9-year-old heroine taking a stand against gentrification, racism and complicity--all while developing special abilities.

Little Apple is a contemporary coming of age story about a young Harlem girl finding her voice in a society that often silences women and people of color. The first season features 6 episodes exploring themes of: gentrification, the erasure of Native Peoples, Black feminism, microaggressions, Black Girl Magic and more.

The product of a successful Kickstarter campaign and a finalist for the 2016 Sundance Institute YouTube New Voices Lab, Little Apple is also a comic book, podcast and upcoming Summit. The summit will be sponsored in part by Samsung.

Wilson and Cortés, both of whom are Harlem residents, were intentional about Apple’s identity as a young Harlem girl speaking truth to power. “Throughout history, it’s been Black women who’ve proved to be the most consistent representation of what heroism is,” says Wilson. “And when you add in the historical potency of what Harlem represents--it was a no brainer for me. A little Black girl, born and raised in Harlem fighting patriarchy, racism and bad energies? That’s my kind of hero.” Cortes added ”my career has been dedicated to empowering inclusive voices and giving light to visionary stories. Little Apple is a rich, inspirational narrative of young people with agency.”

Starring Milan Williams, Little Apple goes from informing new tenants about gentrification to confronting her classmate about his white and male privilege. As if her wokeness is not enough, Apple must also grapple with new special abilities and supernatural enemies.

Williams says she’s excited about the experience of being a young heroine and the face of Little Apple. “I like the power it comes with. It’s my job to be the voice of other people that look me and are me in other ways,” she says. “Normally if you ask me to think of a superhero that looks like me I wouldn’t be able to think of one. Hopefully soon, if someone asks a little girl that looks like me if they know of a superhero that looks like them, now they’ll be able to think of Little Apple.”

The growth of Little Apple stems from the support of Harlem-based companies and residents. All episodes were filmed on location in Harlem; the comic book features ads purchased by Harlem companies; and more than half of the cast and crew were Harlem residents.

“I supported Little Apple because I support messages that spread positivity, community, and understanding,” says Harlem Properties President John McGuinness. “Mr. Wilson has created a beautiful storyline to achieve all of those goals, so I felt I had to be a part of it.” Harlem Properties is one of many Harlem-based businesses that have joined the Little Apple movement. Others include: Seasoned Vegan, Cortés Films, Imagenation Cinema Foundation, Black Teachers Matter & more.

Producers for Little Apple are currently in negotiations with potential partners for distribution. Supporters for the project are encouraged  to sign up on the website to be notified when a platform and release date is announced.