Netflix has announced its newest arrivals for the month of September and, as usual, there are some real gems in the upcoming lineup.
We’ve picked a few binge-worthy titles to add to your watchlist, but you can be sure there will be plenty more dropping soon.
01
Shaquille O’Neal Presents: All Star Comedy Jam
Shaq’s foray into the comedy game gave fans this stand-up gem. Netflix will be dropping each All-Star Comedy Jam including Atlanta, Dallas, Orlando, South Beach, and Las Vegas.
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02
Shaq & Cedric the Entertainer Present: All Star Comedy Jam
It’s the same hilarious all-star comedy, except this time Shaq teams up with an original king of comedy, Cedric the Entertainer.
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03
Mr Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown – Sept. 1
The James Brown documentary takes a look at the late icon’s life beginning with his first hit song, while examining his role in the Civil Rights movement.
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04
She’s Gotta Have It – Sept. 1
Spike Lee’s iconic film is set to premiere on Netflix in November as a TV series, but until then, enjoy the original and its tangled love triangle.
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05
The Confession Tapes: Season 1 – Sept. 8
The docu-series investigates cases in which people convicted of murder claim their confessions were coerced, false, or involuntary. You’ll be glued to your screen.
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06
The Walking Dead: Season 7 – Sept. 8
Hibbert hopes to have a similar career to Denzel Washington and wants to appear in more action movies. The actor also really wants a spot on The Walking Dead.
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07
Strong Island – Sept. 15
The documentary examines the death of filmmaker Yance Ford’s brother and how the judicial system allowed his killer to walk free by exploring race, fear, and what happens in the wake of such a heartbreaking event.
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08
The Magic School Bus Rides Again: Season 1 – Sept. 29
Ms. Frizzle is back! See what hijinks the quirky teacher and her class get up to with a brand new season of the classic kids show.
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.