Comcast Partners With Xfinity To Celebrate Black History Month With GROUNDBREAKERS: HEROES BEHIND THE MASK

Comcast and Xfinity will partner to celebrate and kickoff Black History Month. The GROUNDBREAKERS: HEROES BEHIND THE MASK campaign features an original short, print ad and commercial and radio spot, featuring creatives behind some of America's beloved superheroes and animated series. Premiering TODAY, Xfinity will use the power of the X1 platform to spotlight the pioneering talent behind some of America's most beloved superhero stories and designs while chronicling the deep-rooted history and representation of the Black community.

Comics, sci-fi and animation have long been popular genres within the African American community despite representation being few and far between. The campaign, "Groundbreakers: Heroes Behind the Mask" will feature exclusive VOD packages with Phillip Boutte, Jr. costume illustrator and concept artist for such films as "A Wrinkle in Time," "Justice League," and "Black Panther"; Cheo Hodari Coker creator of the popular "Luke Cage" series on Netflix and Dr. Sheena Howard award-winning author of "Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation." Academy Award nominee and powerhouse costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Black Panther) will be featured in the print campaign. While the Xfinity original short features Alitha E. Martinez, comic book illustrator; Reginald Hudlin, film writer, director and producer; Floyd Norman, Disney animator; and actor and voice over talent, Phil LaMarr. In this original short, viewers will hear Cheo Hodari Coker, creator and showrunner for Marvel's 'Luke Cage" on Netflix, discuss how his lead character challenges the conventional superhero archetype. Learn what influenced the costume design for the highly anticipated characters of 'Black Panther' from the costume concept artist who illustrated it, Phillip Boutte Jr.; Dr. Sheena Howard explores the connection between afro-futurism and the civil rights movement and also hear from Ciara Renee, the CW's "Hawkgirl," about playing a female superhero on television. The talented cast of this Xfinity original short will inspire viewers with their personal insights encouraging the next generation of African American creatives.

In addition to "Groundbreakers: Heroes Behind The Mask", Xfinity On Demand will offer several new films celebrating historical heroes this February including History Channel's 'Voices of the Civil Rights Movement,' BET's "Madiba," TVOne's "Behind the Movement," Smithsonian Channel's "Malcolm X: The Lost Tapes," and The AFRICA Channels' "Fighting for King and Empire" along with special premiere clips for the highly anticipated film, "Black Panther."

Xfinity On Demand's Black Film and TV destination is a curated collection of shows, movies, music videos, and web content featuring African American actors, content creators, musicians and sports figures. With a library that includes over 800 titles including historical documentaries, biographical films, and specials; it continues to serve as the permanent place on the Xfinity on Demand platform where Black History is always on.

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