Gracie’s Corner Disney+ Deal Brings Beloved Black Preschool Series To Global Streaming
“Gracie’s Corner,” the beloved preschool series that brought Black representation, hip-hop, R&B and early learning into millions of homes, is headed to Disney+.
Disney announced a global streaming and development deal for the series, expanding one of the most successful independent children’s educational brands on YouTube into one of the largest children’s entertainment platforms in the world.
The show, created by Javoris Hollingsworth and Arlene Gordon-Hollingsworth, was inspired by their daughter, Graceyn Hollingsworth. What began during the COVID-19 pandemic as a family response to the lack of Black characters in children’s educational content has grown into a cultural force for parents and preschoolers.
At launch, Disney+ will feature 68 shorts and seven themed compilations in the United States and select international markets. More content is expected to roll out globally through 2026.
A Black Family-Created Series Keeps Its Independent Roots
“Gracie’s Corner” blends animated storytelling with nursery rhyme-style lessons, music and culturally familiar sounds. The series covers literacy, math, science and social-emotional learning while featuring animated versions of Gracie and her family.
That mix helped the show stand out in a crowded children’s media space. It also gave many Black families something they had long asked for: educational content where their children could see themselves.
The channel has since built a massive digital audience, with more than 6.3 million subscribers and nearly 10 billion views on YouTube. Along the way, the brand has earned NAACP Image Awards, expanded into books and launched live entertainment.
Despite the Disney+ deal, “Gracie’s Corner” will remain available on YouTube, preserving access for the families who helped build its audience from the start.
Javoris Hollingsworth said keeping the content accessible was important, especially for families who may not have the same access to streaming platforms. He said Disney understood that priority, adding, “Disney respected that.”
Disney Partnership Opens A New Chapter For Gracie
The broader deal includes streaming rights to more than 120 shorts and 18 compilations, along with a development agreement for future original programming with the Hollingsworth family.
Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis said the series fits naturally with Disney Jr.’s preschool slate because of its music-driven learning style and strong connection with families.
For the Hollingsworth family, the Disney partnership marks a major milestone in a journey that started with a simple observation at home. The family saw a gap in children’s media and built something that spoke directly to the children and parents who had been overlooked.
Now, “Gracie’s Corner” is moving from YouTube screens to Disney+ while staying true to the mission that made it successful: helping children learn, sing, dance and see themselves along the way.
