Longtime Altadena resident and Hollywood vet Andre Barnwell reflects on the community’s character—three distinct neighborhoods, strong Black homeownership, indie business vibe—and the night the Eaton Fire upended assumptions with 90-mph Santa Ana winds. Out of the devastation, he’s developing a youth-centered scripted series set in Altadena to create local jobs, showcase student talent, and reframe the town with optimism.

Why Listen

• First-person fire account from a 25-year resident
• Practical blueprint for community-rooted production
• How incentives are shifting filming geographies (GA/TX/Canada)
• Proof that hyper-local youth stories travel

Chapters

00:00 Intros • 02:14 Andre’s path (Philly → BET DC → LA)
04:59 Altadena’s map: East / Central / “The Meadows”
07:49 Indie business DNA; low-franchise culture
11:11 Altadena/Pasadena as “LA’s exterior lot”
15:11 Fire night: evacuations, horses running uphill, survivor’s guilt
21:01 The series idea; 26:22 Pilot shot, financing phase

Key Takeaways

• Place matters: Multi-generational Black homeownership strengthened resilience.
• Protect the vibe: Indie shops over franchises preserve identity.
• Build a pipeline: Student-led series = local crews, recurring jobs, long-term impact.

Notable Quotes

• “When you see an oak tree bend, that’s a whole different level.” — Andre
• “Let’s brand Altadena with something positive.” — Andre

Follow/Resources

• Andre’s YouTube: The Way We Do It — @TTWWDITV
• Seeking partners: pitch deck + pilot completed; financing underway

Host

Colby “Colb” Tyner — SVP, Programming, Urban One / Reach Media
📩 [email protected] • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbycolbtyner • IG: @officialcolbycolb • BlueSky: @colbycolb.bsky.social

How to Help

Urban One supports Brotherhood Crusade’s Wildfire Relief Fund aiding Altadena/Pasadena families affected by the Eaton Fire. Donate at BrotherhoodCrusade.org. Have updates or firsthand stories? Contact Colby.

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