Now streaming on CBC Gem, the series brings Shamier Anderson and Stephan James together with four honourees shaping culture, community, and the future.
-Honouring Legacy, In Real Time
The Legacy Lounge has officially premiered, and with it, The Black Academy opens the floor to some of the most impactful voices shaping Black Canadian culture today.
Now streaming on CBC Gem, the four-part series honours award-winning actor and producer Amanda Brugel, viral dance collective Basement Gang, multi-platinum recording artist Fefe Dobson, and business leader and philanthropist Wes Hall. Each are recognized for their lasting influence across culture, creativity, and community.
Hosted by The Black Academy co-founders Shamier Anderson and Stephan James, The Legacy Lounge moves beyond traditional awards storytelling. Each half-hour episode unfolds as an intimate, roundtable-style conversation, offering rare insight into the honourees’ personal journeys. From early challenges and defining breakthroughs to the legacy they continue to build in real time.
The series also features meaningful appearances from cultural peers and collaborators including k-os, Christian Thompson, Weyni Mengesha, Clement Virgo, Adrian Holmes, and Walied Soliman, alongside powerful testimonials from Willow Smith, O-T Fagbenle, Ann Merriam, and Andrew “King Bach” Bachelor, adding depth and context to each story.
A reimagined extension of The Legacy Awards, The Legacy Lounge continues The Black Academy’s ongoing partnership with CBC, expanding how Black Canadian excellence is celebrated and documented. Filmed in Toronto at King & Bay Bespoke Solutions, the series blends reflection, laughter, and vulnerability, and creating a space where culture meets conversation.
Following its debut on CBC Gem, the series will continue rolling out across CBC’s YouTube channel throughout Black History Month and air on CBC TV beginning February 27, ensuring these conversations reach audiences everywhere.
The Legacy Lounge isn’t just about honouring the past—it’s about recognizing legacy as it unfolds.