In June 2017, I sat down with Reagan Gomez-Preston—a name synonymous with the golden era of Black sitcoms (The Parent ‘Hood) and the voice of a generation (The Cleveland Show). But our conversation on Scoop B Radio wasn’t a nostalgia trip; it was a deep dive into her status as a crowdfunding and marketing genius. Today, in 2025—as the “Creator Economy” has become a multi-billion dollar industry—Reagan’s early adoption of independent distribution looks less like a side project and more like a visionary blueprint.
Reflecting on our session today, Reagan wasn’t just making web series; she was teaching a masterclass on how to own your narrative in the digital age.
The Pivot to Independence: Bypassing the Gatekeepers
Long before Netflix and Amazon were the primary homes for diverse content, Reagan saw the limitations of the traditional Hollywood machine. She took her vision directly to the fans, successfully funding projects like Almost Homeand Surviving… through platforms like Kickstarter.
“I didn’t want to wait for anyone to tell me ‘yes,’ ” Reagan told me. “I knew the audience was there. I knew that Black audiences, specifically, were starving for high-quality, independent stories that didn’t always follow the same tropes.”
In 2025, this is the standard. From “TikTok stars” to independent filmmakers, Reagan’s 2017 strategy—building a direct-to-consumer relationship—is now the only way to ensure creative longevity. She proved that when you “own the masters” of your content, you own your future.
The Marketing Genius: Community over “Clout”
What made Reagan a “marketing genius” wasn’t just her ability to raise money; it was her ability to maintain a community. She utilized Twitter (now X) and Instagram as a two-way street, long before “engagement metrics” were a common buzzword.
“Crowdfunding isn’t just about the money; it’s about the marketing,” she remarked. “If you can get people to invest $5 or $10 in your dream, they aren’t just viewers anymore—they are partners. They are going to help you promote it because they want to see it succeed.”
Looking back from 2025, Reagan’s “partner” philosophy is the core of successful modern branding. She understood that a dedicated “micro-community” of 5,000 invested fans is more powerful than a million passive followers. She didn’t just market to people; she built with them.
Voice Acting and the Animation Boom
We also discussed her prolific career in voice acting, most notably as Roberta Tubbs on The Cleveland Show. Reagan highlighted the “freedom” of animation—a sector of the industry that has exploded in the 2020s.
“Voice acting allows you to be whoever you want to be. It takes away the physical barriers and lets the talent speak for itself.”
In 2025, as animation has become one of the most resilient sectors of entertainment, Reagan’s “buttoned-up” approach to her craft remains a guide for actors navigating the industry. She showed that a diversified portfolio—acting, voicing, writing, and producing—is the ultimate insurance policy against the industry’s “ups and downs.”
2025 Snapshot: The Gomez-Preston Legacy
Today, Reagan Gomez-Preston is recognized as a pioneer of the “Black Web Series” movement. Her work laid the groundwork for the current wave of creators who use digital platforms to launch global franchises.
Reagan Gomez-Preston’s 2017 session on Scoop B Radio was a reminder that genius isn’t just about what you create; it’s about how you ensure it gets seen. She taught us that the “gatekeepers” only have as much power as you give them—and in the digital age, you can build your own gate.
