The Proud Family is an American animated television series created by Bruce W. Smith that aired on Disney Channel for two seasons from September 15, 2001, to August 19, 2005.

Because of the lack of African-American animated shows, Smith co-founded Jambalaya Studios to create diverse projects.

Based on his experiences with a middle-class African-American family in Los Angeles, the series featured several elements in animated sitcoms that explored socially relevant themes.

"Growing in L.A. in a family of six kids, we had some crazy episodes, and I thought it would be a cool idea to bring all that stuff to the screen.

[23] Based on comedian Robin Harris' stand-up comedy act of the same name,[24] it was the first animated film to be targeted at a Black audience.

[23] In 1999, Smith co-founded Jambalaya Studios with Hyperion Pictures to bring more "racially and ethnically" diverse animated projects to television, movies, and the internet.

"[22] The name of the series was inspired by his meeting with co-founder Tom Wilhite when Smith showed him the main characters drawn in a family portrait.

[2][3][4][5] At the time, Pratt identified with her character's personality traits because they both "[knew] when to be sweet and when to have a little attitude", and they both liked being a "regular kid", "going to school", and "work[ing] [their] own way".

[2] Featuring several conventions in every animated sitcom with socially relevant themes,[30] Smith wanted to create "something for the audience to laugh at" and give them "something to take away and be proud in terms of what [Black] culture represents.

[31] Dealing with themes of bullying, gossip, responsibility, and others, The Proud Family highlighted the importance of discrimination, stereotyping, and culture differences.

[30] Smith told Mike Duffy of Detroit Free Press that the series is a "celebration [and inclusion] of all cultures.

"[23] Ben Hooper of TVData Features Syndicate commented that while several animated shows deal with "multicultural issues", The Proud Family "keeps it real–er, skews closer to reality–by presenting a multiracial cast of characters with which tweens in culturally diverse schools can identify.

"[2] Gerald Raiti of Kidscreen recalled that although the series is a satire of family life, it was "[communicating] to children of all races.

"[36] In January 1999, Animation World Network announced that Nickelodeon commissioned production for The Proud Family.

[41] On August 31, 2002, The Proud Family began airing in reruns on ABC as part of Disney's One Saturday Morning.

[citation needed] Two weeks later, Disney's One Saturday Morning would be rebranded as ABC Kids[42] where The Proud Family continued airing until September 2, 2006, when it was removed from the lineup.

[43][44] The second-season episode "Wedding Bell Blues" was initially removed from reruns on the network in 2004 due to Oscar accusing Suga Mama's new boyfriend Clarence of being a gigolo.

[citation needed] In the United Kingdom, the series aired on ITV in 2002 as part of the network's Saturday morning Diggin' It show.

[citation needed] As of September 2020, the series is available for purchase on the iTunes Store,[47][48][49] Amazon Prime Video,[50] and Google TV.

[55] Mark Sachs of The Los Angeles Times commented that it is a "fresh-feeling animated show geared teens".

[7] Betsy Wallace of Common Sense Media said that the series is a mix of positive role models, zany comedy, and stories which are relatable, while questioning the political point of having a famous basketball player own everything in town.

[56] Nadira Goffe of Slate praised the series for its humor aimed at viewers, with clear inspirations for in-universe shows and references, and for starring a cast of Black teenagers of "all different shades and family makeups.

[58] Screen Rant praised the series for having a "perfect balance" of being hilarious and heartfelt while breaking barriers with its "BIPOC representation" behind the scenes and in the show itself.