Almost a year ago, Ainsley Andrade wrote what was probably the most glowing review he'd ever given to show made by Black creators on network that primarily marketed to Black people. Shows made "for us, by us" have to be held to higher standards if they're meant to be taken seriously in what is still mostly a predominantly white media landscape. The recipient of said praise was none other than Bounce TV's Johnson, created, written and executive produced by Atlanta native Deji LaRay, who also stars.

In this interview with LaRay and executive producer Eric Rhone, they get down to brass tacks about how their partnership works, why Johnson strikes a chord and the importance of depicting Black men with emotional intelligence. This is especially important because, as Rhone puts it, "As African American males, we are like everyone else in that we're unlike anyone else."