Buzzfeed Studios and Lil Rel Howery Collaborate on ‘Saving the Neighborhood’

BuzzFeed Studios and actor and comedian Lil Rel Howery are collaborating on “Saving the Neighborhood,” a new series exploring the “existential threats” facing neighborhoods across America. Howery will serve as both the director and host of the series.

The first season of “Saving the Neighborhood” examines the impact of environmental racism on Black and brown communities across the U.S. — from Howery’s hometown of Chicago to the water crises in Jackson, Miss., and Flint, Mich., to toxic landfills and incinerators. in New York and California. He will meet with communities across the country fighting for environmental justice.

BuzzFeed Studios’ slate of unscripted initiatives includes pop culture true crime (“The Rise and Fall of LulaRoe”), political docuseries (“Once Upon a Time in Londongrad”), reality and game show formats (“Snoop & Martha’s Very Taste Halloween” ). BuzzFeed Studios has also backed feature films like “EXmas.” and “Puppy Love.”

Howery will also serve as executive producer of “Saving the Neighborhood.” The series was created by Endless Roots’ Sean Flax, who serves as executive producer on the project. Jordan Savage and Manny Alves of The Network Studios, and Norman Aladjem and Madeleine Buisseret (Mainstay Entertainment) are also executive producers. Paul Ricci and Richard Alan Reid serve as executive producers for BuzzFeed Studios.

“From my hometown of Chicago to other cities across the country affected by environmental racism, this is an issue close to my heart and one that I believe needs more attention,” Howery said. “We are giving a platform to the activists on the ground who are creating change and standing up for what is right.”

“BuzzFeed Studios is pleased to announce our latest unwritten project, ‘Saving the Neighborhood’, that draws viewers to the intersection of environmentalism, community action, education and injustice” says Paul Ricci, head of unscripted at BuzzFeed Studios. “Building on the success of our series of unscripted projects, ‘Saving the Neighborhood’ will engage BuzzFeed’s vast global audience and entertain and educate viewers from all walks of life.”