‘Black-ish’ Creator Kenya Barris Sued For $1M For Stealing Show Idea

Kenya Barris

*”Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris has been hit with a more than $1M lawsuit by music video director and “Idlewild” helmer Bryan Barber, who claims Kenya ripped off the idea for the hit ABC comedy, Deadline.com reports. Barber believes Kenya is in breach of contract and accuses him committing fraud in his jury-seeking complaint (read it here), which he filed in L.A. Superior Court on Friday.

The filing cites a number of similarities between the initial concept and Black-ish. “Both works conclude with the protagonist overcoming challenges with race relations, adapting to his professional environment, and coming to terms with his ‘blackish-ness,’” asserts the complaint

“Plaintiff is informed and believes that at some point between the end of 2006 and September 2014, Defendant Barris – using Plaintiff’s idea for the Original Untitled Script – wrote, developed and shopped the pilot episode for Black-ish without Plaintiff’s knowledge or authorization,” alleges Barber. “Indeed, Defendant Barris intentionally concealed these facts from Plaintiff. The pilot episode for Black-ish was predicated in all material respects on Plaintiff’s idea and/or the Original Untitled Script.”

READ RELATED STORY: Anthony Anderson, Kenya Barris Talk ‘N-Word’ and Artist Responsibility [EXCLUSIVE]

Bryan claims that he and his fellow Clark Atlanta University alum co-wrote a script based on his life for VH-1 nearly ten years ago. But Kenya essential hijacked the story and retooled it into the the series starring Anthony Anderson, and Barber is ready to lay out a timeline in court that suggests he and Barris were connected at one point.

“The Original Untitled Script was premised on Plaintiff’s idea for a television show about the black experience as seen through the lens of a successful, creative and affluent black man working in the predominantly white entertainment industry,” says the 18-page complaint naming Barris, Black-ish EP Larry Wilmore’s Wilmore Films, Principato-Young Entertainment and Cinema Gypsy Productions as defendants.

Barber is requesting monetary damages as well as a full accounting, creator and writer credit and compensation on the Emmy nominated Black-ish plus a piece of “all derivative, ancillary and merchandising rights and interests.”

 

We Publish News 24/7. Don’t Miss A Story. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now!

Anthony Mackie as Captain America
Jay-Z and Diddy - via Grok AI
Steven Ivory
Kanye and Bianca on Grammy red carpet - screenshot
William Allen Young and Courtney B. Vance Photo Credit, Ricky Richardson
The Wayans Brothers
Barack and Michelle Obama - Valentin's Day 2025 - via X
Mental Health Matters
Issa Rae
fried fish
Cherelle Parker - screenshot
Read More
Kanye West and Bianca Censori on Grammy Red Carpet - screenshot
Read More
Damon Wayans
Read More
Beyond the Gates
Read More
Denzel Washington - Gladiator II
Read More
Learjet after crashing - via Grok AI
Read More
Sunny Hostin
Read More
Amtrak
Read More
Will Smith (AI character from 'I Am Legend 2'
Read More
Bevelyn Beatty Williams
Read More

POPULAR

Beyond the Gates
CBS to Air Special on New Daytime Soap Opera 'Beyond The Gates'
Onijah Andrew Robinson
Black American Woman Returns to New York After Bizarre Ordeal in Pakistan | Video
Taco Bell customer and security guard who slapped her
Crunch Slap Supreme: Taco Bell Security Guard Caught Brutally Slapping Black Woman in Viral Video | WATCH
Irv Gotti - Getty
Irv Gotti's Family Expects a Packed Church for His Funeral at Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral
Kendrick Lamar performing
'Worst Halftime Show Ever!' - Reactions to Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl Halftime Show | WATCH
Raising Kanan Fourth Season
New Trailer for 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan' Hints at Intense Season 4 | Watch
Serena Williams - via screenshot
Serena Williams Reveals Kendrick Lamar Requested Her Crip Walk Performance - That's it. No 'Git Back' at Drake
Amtrak
Amtrak's Auto Train Offers Travel with Vehicle Transport Between Virginia and Florida
Emotional couple
12 Common Phrases that Signal Emotional Immaturity