In the New Drama G.R.I.T.S. by Atlanta Gives Memphis a Big Heart, the topic of giving is also addressed.

A new original series has coated the ALLBLK streaming platform, G.R.I.T.S. (meaning the Girls Raised in the South), which is rolling an ambiance of Memphis grit, friendship, ambition, and roller-skating magic. What makes it extra special? There is an Atlanta connection behind the scenes that helped bring this Southern story to life, and the love and respect of the city of Memphis is the centerpiece of it.

The Vision: Memphis, Atlanta Lenses.

Producer Deji LaRay may be an Atlanta guy, but he talks about Memphis with sincerity. He claims he has relatives there, and he is familiar with the dynamic pace of the city. To him, Memphis is not merely a setting, but a living, breathing thing, full of soulful music, close-knit families, and streets that do not necessarily make things sound good. However, LaRay also wishes to demonstrate the unruly aspect, the unrefined and unforgiving elements that do not usually receive the limelight.

It leads to a show that celebrates the two sides of Southern life, especially as seen by the three young Black women, Keisha, Ty, and Francis.

The Heart of the Story: Sisterhood, Struggle, and Skating.

• Keisha (portrayed by Atlanta actor Jasmine Sargent) is grappling with great betrayal; her sorrow at the loss of her ex-boyfriend informs much of her path.
• Ty (Ashanti Harris) is a single mother who has bigger dreams than her situation, with the risk of losing a scholarship.
• Francis (Aja Canyon as Francis) is street-wise and an opportunity-seeker who hustles in a rough world, hoping that roller skating will be her way out.

The three women relate to the fact that they all love roller skating, and a skating contest where the winner wins a prize of 50,000 is not just a game but their opportunity to win something more. In this world, skating becomes freedom, escape, and community in one.

Construction of Authenticity: Accents to Settings.

Authenticity was a major concern. Although she grew up in Virginia, but currently living in Atlanta, Sargent said she saw herself in Keisha, though their interests, character, and even feelings were similar to hers. But to get the Memphis accent was another thing. Fortunately, Memphis-born Aja Canyon provided her a helping hand in helping coach her and Harris through the Southern drawl.

LaRay had a creative path to follow in the area of physical locations. Although most of the show was filmed in Atlanta, due to the fact that Georgia has been providing great tax breaks to shoot in Atlanta, the crew did film parts of the show in Memphis when they got a chance. Those scenes assist in making the series connect to the soul of the city: one of the memorable scenes features the characters ice-skating on a rooftop in the view of the Mississippi River, which is a visual reminder of the spirit of the city and alludes to the traditional Southern narratives.

The Rink as a Sanctuary

Much of G.R.I.T.S. is set in a roller-skating rink, not merely geographically, but emotionally. The film was shot on Skate Along USA, a rink in Lilburn (Georgia), to represent the Memphis rink. This decision was particularly heart-wrenching: the rink was an adored neighborhood institution that was going under. Shooting there was not only to the benefit of the story, but to the heritage of Southern skating.

In the case of LaRay, rinks were considered a source of unadulterated happiness. He recalls skating when a boy, the exhilarating sensation of the floor, and stealing on the youth and freedom. The rink to him symbolizes life: a place where dreams, heartbreaks, and escapes all intersect.

Creative Team That Cares

The show is not afraid of the actual problems: money problems, loss, and having to make difficult choices. But it also praises the relationships that keep people united. By collaborating with his long-term partners, such as Thomas/Q/Jones who portrays the role of the father of the character of Keisha, LaRay created a world that is perceived to be grounded in the community and complexity.

The name of the show, G.R.I.T.S., is also mindful: it is not just Girls Raised in the South, but also a double entendre, grits being the Southern staple. It couples food, culture, identity, and ambition together in an eliciting story.

Early Reception & What’s Next

G.R.I.T.S. has found fans ever since it first premiered, and its blend of heart, hustle, and Southern charm has been receiving rave reviews, particularly in social media. According to LaRay, he is optimistic about a second season because of the great reception.

ALLBLK has proved to be the right platform for him. The network gives him the freedom to be creative, particularly on stories that are not necessarily covered by mainstream media. Actually, LaRay already has another ALLBLK project in development, a show titled Wild Rose that is going to be more layered and character-driven storytelling.