SESAME STREET to Address Racism with New Special THE POWER OF WE: A SESAME STREET SPECIAL

Sesame Street has a new special on the way to help talk about standing up to racism. Racism is a very real problem in the world, and the Sesame Workshop wants to address it with The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special. This special is designed to be watched as families (including parents and/or caregivers) to discuss the evils of racism and how to stand up to it.

Elmo and Abby Cadabby will be the main stars of the special alongside 6-year-old Muppet Gabrielle and her 8-year-old cousin Tamir. They’ll be joined by human cast members Alan, Charlie, Chris, and Gordon as well as celebrity guests Yara Shahidi, Christopher Jackson, and Andra Day. Two new songs will premiere as well.

“The Power of We” features Elmo and Abby Cadabby, who are joined by 6-year-old Muppet Gabrielle and her cousin, 8-year-old Tamir, as they learn how to become “upstanders” to unfair treatment based on skin – or fur – color.

The Power of We will air on HBO Max and PBS KIDS as well as PBS stations (check local listings) on October 15. It will then re-air throughout October and November on PBS stations and PBS KIDS 24/7 (check local listings). Kay Wilson Stallings of Sesame Workshop released the following statement:

Sesame Street has the ability to entertain children while explaining complex issues like no other program and equips families and caregivers with the support they need to have empathetic conversations. We believe that this moment calls for a direct discussion about racism to help children grasp the issues and teach them that they are never too young to be ‘upstanders’ for themselves, one another, and their communities.

Parents and caregivers can check out the companion guide over on the official site.