When the world tries to erase Black genius, it will still find a way to exist, and Hulu’s new Washington Black shows viewers that true liberation lies in the courage to imagine a new path forward.
Washington Black—adapted from Esi Edugyan’s award-winning novel—follows George Washington “Wash” Black, an enslaved 11-year-old boy on a 19th-century Barbados plantation. Blessed with a sharp mind and love for science and art, Wash is pulled into an unexpected journey by his enslaver’s eccentric inventor brother, “Titch,” who becomes an unlikely mentor.
What begins as a journey of curiosity turns into a coming-of-age tale of identity, self-definition, and freedom. A tragic misunderstanding forces Wash to flee, and along the way, he’s confronted with the world’s attempts to define him, while working to define himself.
Told through a mixture of flashbacks and present-day experiences, the limited series explores how dreams, aspirations, and identity are shaped over time. Hulu has partnered with Complex to spotlight the journeys of two Black creatives whose stories resonate with the aspirational themes of dreams, self-determination, and resilience found in Washington Black.
Through determination, vision, and an unwavering belief in their authentic self, Shavone Charles and DonYé Taylor have done just what Washington Black does. They both chartered a new path.
SHAVONE CHARLES
A future-forward creative, Shavone Charles is a true multihyphenate whose work touches music, technology, and fashion. As a social media executive, Charles drives impact through campaigns highlighting diverse voices. As the musician SHAVONE, she blends her classical piano and flute training with her San Diego upbringing, fusing her interests into a sound that’s all her own, evidenced by her latest BLONDE YAKI. “Peekaboo” freestyle.
Charles knew she was destined to be different. Her childhood experiences as “the odd one out,” coupled with her parents’ influence as community builders and entrepreneurs, allowed for free rein of her self-expression. “I think it was clear I needed an outlet,” she explains of her multi-interest childhood. “Thank God [my parents] had the resources to help invest in that.”
As she navigated roles and major responsibilities at tech companies, she received guidance from colleagues who saw something special in her, including marketing and communications expert Gabriel Stricker.
“There have been individuals who’ve been there to answer questions or connect the dots for me, or pour into me in ways that I needed in that very moment,” she says of her mentors.
But the climb hasn’t been without compromise. “There have been moments where I've been nervous to be my full self and tried to shrink myself to fit in,” Shavone says. “It wasn't cool to be Black in tech. There is inherent pressure, but also self-doubt.”
Despite internal pressures and the ever-present grind of dream-chasing, Shavone continues to show up boldly and rooted in her purpose. Her ambition sustains her, and her authenticity is what guides her.
“Who you are is progressive, it's changing and evolving,” she smiles. “I ultimately decided to just be as loud and proud as I could from jump. So, I’ll pull up [in my] Timbs, Dunks, fitted caps, afro, natural hair…I'm just going to do me [while] trying to tear that ceiling down, and open the door to where there's still room for other people to walk through.”
DONYÉ TAYLOR
DonYé Taylor’s work lives at the intersection of science, wellness, and art. Raised in the DMV, the creative entrepreneur was recognized in 2023 for her work in marketing and advertising. She’s also the mind behind Nuclei, a product brand that turns everyday objects into functional art, and Mentally, I’m Here, a wellness platform and newsletter exploring psychology and healing through a creative lens.
“I have a tangible dream and then the service-based dream of me being a vessel,” DonYé explains. “In all of my work, I've always [made things] from a creative/wellness/psychological lens, even with me just being authentic to myself.”
A self-described “do-it-yourself’er,” DonYé has largely charted her course without formal mentorship, though she credits her aunt for helping her nurture her individuality.
“I do believe that there is value in education everywhere, just if you put yourself in a space to receive it,” she says. “I get inspired by life and the overall day-to-day. I know what’s fire when it comes to the way that I see the world.”
This conviction also fuels another important attribute of DonYé’s creative journey: boundaries.
“Sometimes things are not going to go the way that you want,” says, reflecting on the importance of creative boundaries and staying rooted in self. “You may get labeled as somebody hard to work with. At the end of the day, you have your peace, you have your confidence, you still have your moral compass—and those things are more valuable.”
Living your dreams is not just about attaining your idea of perfection. It’s about persistence, clarity of your purpose, and evolution. Neither Shavone nor DonYé is immune to the resistance that comes with showing up fully. Like Wash in Washington Black, they’ve faced situations that could’ve dimmed their light. However, they still persevered.
These creatives’ journeys are not defined by the limitations placed on them, but by their refusal to shrink. Their boundlessness is just getting started.
“To get to these different chapters of your dreams, you kind of have to switch gears along the way and sacrifice certain things to focus on things in the moment,” Shavone says. “My dream is to just create without fear, to live without fear.”
“I don't want to let my foot off the gas: I just want it to be always on,” DonYé affirms.
All episodes of Washington Black are now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+