LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� 鈥淩ise Up, Sing Out,鈥� an animated shorts series presenting the concepts of race, racism and social justice to young viewers, is coming to Disney Junior.
Designed for children ages 2 to 7 and their families, the series will include music by Ahmir 鈥淨uestlove鈥� Thompson and Tariq 鈥淏lack Thought鈥� Trotter of The Roots, who are executive producers with Latoya Raveneau.
鈥淲e hope these shorts will encourage the young audience to recognize and celebrate our differences as human beings while learning the tools to navigate real-world issues of racial injustice,鈥� Thompson and Trotter said in a joint statement Tuesday.
They said their hope is to 鈥渆mpower and uplift the future generations in the way we know best, through music.鈥�
鈥淩ise Up, Sing Out,鈥� produced in collaboration with Oscar-winning studio Lion Forge Animation (鈥淗air Love鈥�), will debut this year on Disney Junior platforms including the channel and app. A date wasn't announced.
Disney Junior recognizes that children are 鈥渆xperiencing a multitude of feelings around what鈥檚 happening in our world today鈥� and that families are struggling to discuss 鈥渟ensitive issues around race,鈥� said Joe D鈥橝mbrosia, its general manager and a senior vice president.
The shorts are intended to give families "the tools and knowledge to address these important topics with their preschoolers in an age-appropriate manner through music and relatable kid experiences,鈥� he said in a statement.
A viewing guide for parents is being developed for parents by The Conscious Kid, described on its website as an organization 鈥渄edicated to equity and promoting healthy racial identity development in youth.鈥�
The Associated Press
