Viola Davis, Charlamagne Tha God, And More Among Investors In A Self-Help App Catering To The Black Community

Samantha Dorisca
·2 min read
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Prominent individuals in entertainment are joining forces to provide self-help resources to the Black community.

This is being made possible through the inception of ALTR, described as a motivational and self-help app, per the company’s LinkedIn. The platform was co-created by David A. Wilson, founder of TheGrio, and Brandon John-Freso, who serves as the company’s chief technology officer, and is supported through a partnership with Viola Davis and husband Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions.

ALTR serves to provide audiobook miniseries that will tend to “the distinct life obstacles faced in the Black community,” Variety reports. These audiobooks will include topics such as:

  • Mental well-being

  • Feelings of isolation

  • Financial stability

  • Spirituality

  • Personal relationships

  • And more

“There is a yearning for solutions and knowledge from our cultural perspectives,” Wilson told Variety. “Our authentic voices are lacking in the existing self-help, wellness and educational platforms, which is why we’ve been able to galvanize broad support from trusted voices in our community.”

The platform has already attracted investments from Davis, “The Breakfast Club” radio host Charlamagne tha God, and MSNBC’s “The ReidOut” host Joy Reid.

“There is power in our collective knowledge,” Davis commented, according to Variety. “Life becomes easier when you can learn from those who’ve been there before,” Davis commented, according to Variety. “Julius and I are excited to take part in building a platform that will enable millions of people to find guidance for personal growth and see themselves in a space where we’re not usually represented.”

Charlamagne tha God added:

“In a booming $75 billion audio-based media market, audio content stands out as a powerful tool for engaging our community. ALTR will be a game-changer by tapping into this market and making a much-needed positive impact.”

Reid commented:

“From my purview as a cable news host covering the tumultuous political and social landscape, there is a growing sense of uncertainty amongst Black Americans on what it all means for their future. I love that ALTR provides clarity, comfort and community for those looking to master their own destinies.”

ALTR is set to launch in the third quarter of 2024, and users can sign up for early access by clicking here.