A Game Show for Us and By Us
It’s no secret that Black culture influences everything mainstream from the latest TikTok to how people wear their clothes even down to how people speak to one another. To give Black culture its proper spotlight, the game show Ebonics was created to highlight and honor everything that Black culture is.
The television show Ebonics airs on weekdays Monday through Friday at 6:30 p.m. EST and 10:30 p.m. EST on Comcast Xfinity and dives into the depths of African American vernacular and is hosted by Koiya. According to its site, the show aims to educate, entertain, and foster cultural understanding by challenging contestants’ knowledge of various aspects of African American vernacular.
“Ebonics is all things Black culture,” said Koiya. “…if everybody is speaking Ebonics on social media why don’t we have representation on mainstream media?”
Ebonics the game show was created by Afrotainment Founder and CEO Yves Bollanga who has a background in coding. Afrotainment is an American media company based in Orlando. Bollanga spent almost 10 years working as a senior IT specialist where he was recognized as a trusted advisor for key IBM customers such as The United Nations and New York State Agencies including the Department of Health, Department of Taxation Service, Office of State Comptroller, and the New York Police Department. He coded the entire Ebonics game show from the buzzers to the set, all intending to bring Black culture to game shows.
Production for the game show began in April of 2024 in Orlando and the show began filming in July.
As one of the few Black women game hosts, Koiya gives props to actress, singer, and entrepreneur Keke Palmer for her host work on the NBC game show Password. Palmer won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Game Show, making her the first woman to win the award since 2009 and the first Black woman to be nominated and win in the category. Koiya studied Palmer’s work and other TV game hosts to prepare for her new role.
“It takes for Black women to come and crack the mold. We can’t just be categorized as one thing,” said Koiya who spent nine years as a daily radio host in Orlando.
Cash Prizes and More
Any good television game show comes with some type of prize and Ebonics is no different. Along with winning cash prizes for every right answer, contestants have the opportunity to leave with goodies.
Through partnerships with local Orlando attractions, contestants have won trips to Fun Spot America Theme Parks, Walt Disney World, and Orlando Studios.
Ebonics is currently looking for more sponsors.
“Black culture is the pulse of the generation now,” said Koiya.