Today, the cast and executive producers of the groundbreaking animated series The Proud Family participated in a virtual reunion during the NAACP’s Arts, Culture & Entertainment Festival. Moderated by Keke Palmer, who announced that she will be joining the cast of Disney+’s upcoming series The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, the panel featured Kyla Pratt, Tommy Davidson, Paula Jai Parker, Jo Marie Payton, Cedric the Entertainer, creator/executive producer Bruce W. Smith and executive producer Ralph Farquhar.

Their conversation included reminiscing about the cultural impact of the Disney Channel series which premiered 18 years ago, and a glimpse of the exciting new series coming exclusively to Disney+.

Check out the The Proud Family reunion below:

Palmer will play the role of Maya Leibowitz-Jenkins, a 14-year-old activist who relentlessly marches to the beat of her own drum. She is extremely mature for her age and will not hesitate to shut anyone down with her blunt honesty and wisdom.  The adopted daughter of mixed race parents, Maya is new to town, and initially disassociates herself from Penny and her crew because she is skeptical about what she perceives to be the superficiality of social cliques. However, Penny eventually gains her hard-earned respect and the two become good friends. 

Picking up the story of its central character Penny Proud, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder will also include her madcap family: parents Oscar and Trudy, twin siblings BeBe and CeCe, and her grandmother Suga Mama (and Puff). Of course, it would not be The Proud Family without Penny’s loyal crew Dijonay Jones, LaCienega Boulevardez and Zoey Howzer, among others.

Reprising their voice roles are: Kyla Pratt as Penny Proud, Tommy Davidson as Oscar Proud, Paula Jai Parker as Trudy Proud, Jo Marie Payton as Suga Mama, Karen Malina White as Dijonay Jones, Soleil Moon Frye as Zoey Howzer and Alisa Reyes as LaCienega Boulevardez. Cedric the Entertainer will also return as Uncle Bobby Proud. 

“The show’s humor and relatable stories are as relevant with audiences today as ever,” said Agnes Chu, senior vice president, Content, Disney+. “Our audiences have loved rediscovering their favorite episodes of The Proud Family, and we’re excited Bruce, Ralph, Calvin, and the returning cast are creating new stories for their new home on Disney+.”

Gary Marsh, president and chief creative officer, Disney Channels Worldwide, said, “The genius of the original Proud Family series was that, under the guise of a family comedy, it provided a brilliant social commentary on our life and times.  With this new series, Bruce and Ralph will once again challenge everyone to think differently about the world we share.”

Every season of The Proud Family is currently available on Disney+. The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder is currently in production.

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