Charlotte reality show focuses on Black and brown men

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A scene from "Kings of the Queen City," a Charlotte-based reality program that explores how men navigate relationships and masculinity.

A new reality program explores life as a man in Charlotte.

“Kings of the Queen City” looks at the lives of men navigating life and reveals what made them share their experiences on screen, manhood and what it means to represent Black and brown people. The show follows eight men figuring out marriage, single life, mental health, fatherhood and friendship. The cast includes William Anderson, Petrick Barksdale, Jason Brown, Hassan Dekmak, Trevor Lewis, Ferney Mercado, Chris Word and Gabe Wright.

Producer Karla Anderson’s vision for the show was to remove stereotypes and unhealthy narratives surrounding Black and brown men often seen in media.

“I really wanted to be the change I wanted to see in the world. I thought that the representations of Black and brown men, especially in the reality space, was lacking and not as nuanced,” she said.

Anderson wanted to give viewers an inside look at what goes on in the minds of men, giving a different take on reality TV.

“We often don’t know what it's really like when it's a group of guys and we’re not around,” she said. “What do they talk about? What do they say about us? What do they say about dating, marriage? What are those things that you really want to know how they feel? This show gives you that and then some.” 

The show is not about drama but about putting vulnerability and authenticity on screen to give a rounded perspective on manhood. For the cast, choosing to be part of the project was about representation and breaking down the walls of what vulnerability can look like in men going through different walks of life but sharing similar experiences.

“I decided to join because I think when I look around my network of friends and coworkers and golfers, I see a lot of men of success, a lot of men that are intentionally working hard to support their families, build careers, create identities, be pillars in the community,” Word said. “I don't believe that the perception of Black or brown manhood has that positive energy, so I thought the show was a great opportunity to exhibit that in its authenticity as well, the good, the bad, sometimes the ugly of it.”

The men identified with growing up struggling with patriarchal views on handing emotions, which they hope will help others by showing how it’s OK to not only open up but work through it.

“We grow tough where it doesn’t matter what is bothering us, we keep it to ourselves because that’s the culture that we grow up in, you have to be tough and you’re still struggling with issues from your childhood,” Lewis said. “It was something to help young men to deal with the issues that they’re dealing with as they get older.”

The cast also wants younger people to know that there are many different paths that lead to success and it looks different for everyone.

“We're able to have this platform to show more of the masses that you too can succeed,” Mercado said. “You too can be a career-oriented individual.” 

Wright added: “I just want to make sure that I am presenting at least part of the story for my kids and their little knucklehead friends of what they can become and show them there are so many different ways that you can succeed. What you look like and what society portrays us as has no bearing on your success and it can't be a limiting factor.”

The cast also share what the group dynamic has been since filming and how they have an appreciation for their friendships.

“We all respect each other,” Lewis said. “If there’s an issue there, we try to talk about it, get it out the room and fix it so that we can be a better man. I enjoy the friendship of these guys.” Lewis said.

Updates on showtimes and the cast can be found on Instagram @thekingsoftheqc.

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