AspireTV Greenlights HBCU-Centered Comedy Series "Savannah State of Mind"

The new show, created by veteran producer Bentley Kyle Evans, will spotlight the culture, ambition, and everyday hilarity of life on an HBCU campus.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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AspireTV has officially greenlit Savannah State of Mind, a new HBCU-centered comedy series created by veteran producer and showrunner Bentley Kyle Evans. The series will spotlight the culture, ambition, and everyday hilarity unfolding on an HBCU campus, blending sharp humor with heartfelt storytelling rooted in the authenticity of the HBCU experience.

Why it matters

The series marks an exciting new chapter for AspireTV as the network expands into original scripted programming that celebrates Black college life. By authentically portraying the HBCU experience, Savannah State of Mind aims to help redefine how Black college students and their communities are represented on mainstream screens.

The details

Savannah State of Mind follows seven freshmen as they navigate the highs and lows of campus life at the fictional Oakwood Heights, a once-struggling HBCU institution experiencing a resurgence. The show will explore themes of academic pressures, budding romances, friendships, self-discovery, and personal setbacks, all set against the backdrop of a campus undergoing transformation.

  • Savannah State of Mind is currently in pre-production and is expected to premiere later this year.

The players

Bentley Kyle Evans

A veteran producer and showrunner who will serve as executive producer on Savannah State of Mind through his Harvest Studios production banner. Evans has helped shape some of the most influential comedies in Black entertainment, including The Jamie Foxx Show and Martin.

Angela Cannon

The general manager of AspireTV, who stated that the network is excited to work with Bentley Kyle Evans to bring the HBCU experience to life with "humor, heart, and authenticity" through Savannah State of Mind.

AspireTV

A television network that has greenlit the new HBCU-centered comedy series Savannah State of Mind, marking the network's latest investment in original scripted programming that celebrates Black college life.

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What they’re saying

“Savannah State of Mind' marks an exciting new chapter for AspireTV as we expand into original scripted storytelling. Working with the incomparable Bentley Kyle Evans allows us to bring this world to life with humor, heart, and authenticity through relatable comedy that reminds us why these communities matter so deeply.”

— Angela Cannon, General Manager, AspireTV (clutchpoints.com)

“I'm incredibly excited to bring Savannah State of Mind to life because there simply aren't enough shows that authentically capture this experience. HBCUs are spaces filled with brilliance, ambition, humor, vulnerability, and transformation, and they deserve to be seen in all of that fullness. This series isn't just about college—it's about identity, growth, community, and what happens when young Black men and women are given room to evolve, make mistakes, and discover who they truly are. It's important for audiences to see Black students in spaces of leadership, intellect, love, conflict, and excellence—not as stereotypes, but as layered, complicated human beings. That's what this show delivers, and I'm proud to help bring that story to the screen.”

— Bentley Kyle Evans, Executive Producer, Savannah State of Mind (clutchpoints.com)

What’s next

Savannah State of Mind is currently in pre-production and is expected to premiere later this year.

The takeaway

Savannah State of Mind represents an important step forward in the representation of the HBCU experience on mainstream television. By authentically portraying the culture, ambition, and everyday hilarity of life on an HBCU campus, the series aims to redefine how Black college students and their communities are portrayed, offering a vibrant reminder that HBCUs remain incubators of culture, leadership, and limitless possibility.