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It’s always refreshing to see A-listers utilize their platforms and give back to other creatives. Actress and film producer Viola Davis has launched a book publishing company, JVL Media, with her husband, Julius Tennon. According to the website, JVL Media will primarily operate out of New York, Los Angeles, Houston, and London.
“We’re nurturing a literary culture that echoes the soul of our society and propels us into the future with stories that matter,” Tennon told The Hollywood Reporter in April 2024.
The award-winning actress and her husband have partnered with New York Times bestselling author, editor, and publisher Lavaille Lavette. The multi-hyphenate shared that this partnership showcases the trio’s devotion to telling diverse stories.
“JVL Media stands as a beacon for inclusive and nuanced storytelling,” Lavelle told the outlet. “We are wholeheartedly devoted to fostering joy, inspiring wonder, and unlocking the limitless power of literature to unite us all.”
JVL Media plans to debut non-fiction titles, including “Had to Lose to Win: The Tiki Davis Story,” by popular motivational speaker Tiki Davis. Another anticipated title is “The Inclusion Leader Genius,” by Dr. Johné Battle, the Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Dollar General.
“New Hope” by actress Tanya Wright and “Black States of America” by D. E. Rogers are fiction titles set for release. The latter is a sci-fi epic that reimagines Black lives in an alternate reality where President Lincoln survives the assassination.
“This endeavor embodies our collective aspiration — to champion and elevate voices that resonate with authenticity and are often overlooked,” Davis said in a press release. “Our mission is to interlace a rich mosaic of fiction and non-fiction that not only stirs the imagination but also venerates the enduring heritage of storytellers from diverse walks of life.”
It’s no surprise that Davis has launched a book publishing company. The success of her 2022 book, “Finding Me: A Memoir,” sealed her EGOT status. EGOT is an acronym for those who have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony. In 2023, she won a Grammy for best audiobook, narration, and storytelling recording. Davis is the 18th person to become an EGOT winner.
Davis and Tennon already own a Los Angeles-based production company, JuVee Productions. The company develops and produces independent film, theater, television, and digital content.
JVL Media is committed to heightening the voices of underrepresented voices. In fact, the publishing house’s mission provides a clear understanding of what’s to come.
“The company is dedicated to delivering exceptional literature (Books to Movies as well as TV) that celebrates and amplifies diverse voices and experiences. In addition to its independent projects, JVL collaborates with leading media and publishing entities to curate and deliver an eclectic spectrum of high-caliber intellectual properties. By championing inclusivity and innovation, JVL Media aims to inspire, enlighten, and entertain worldwide audiences.”
JVL Media is also venturing into book packaging. In addition, they plan to expand into publishing children’s and young adult books in 2025.
