Altadena: After The Fire — Andre Barnwell

Longtime Altadena resident and Hollywood vet Andre Barnwell reflects on the community’s character—three distinct neighborhoods, strong Black homeownership, indie business vibe—and the night the Eaton Fire upended assumptions with 90-mph Santa Ana winds. Out of the devastation, he’s developing a youth-centered scripted series set in Altadena to create local jobs, showcase student talent, and reframe the town with optimism.

Why Listen

• First-person fire account from a 25-year resident
• Practical blueprint for community-rooted production
• How incentives are shifting filming geographies (GA/TX/Canada)
• Proof that hyper-local youth stories travel

Chapters

00:00 Intros • 02:14 Andre’s path (Philly → BET DC → LA)
04:59 Altadena’s map: East / Central / “The Meadows”
07:49 Indie business DNA; low-franchise culture
11:11 Altadena/Pasadena as “LA’s exterior lot”
15:11 Fire night: evacuations, horses running uphill, survivor’s guilt
21:01 The series idea; 26:22 Pilot shot, financing phase

Key Takeaways

• Place matters: Multi-generational Black homeownership strengthened resilience.
• Protect the vibe: Indie shops over franchises preserve identity.
• Build a pipeline: Student-led series = local crews, recurring jobs, long-term impact.

Notable Quotes

• “When you see an oak tree bend, that’s a whole different level.” — Andre
• “Let’s brand Altadena with something positive.” — Andre

Follow/Resources

• Andre’s YouTube: The Way We Do It — @TTWWDITV
• Seeking partners: pitch deck + pilot completed; financing underway

Host

Colby “Colb” Tyner — SVP, Programming, Urban One / Reach Media
📩 [e-mail] • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colbycolbtyner • IG: @officialcolbycolb • BlueSky: @colbycolb.bsky.social

How to Help

Urban One supports Brotherhood Crusade’s Wildfire Relief Fund aiding Altadena/Pasadena families affected by the Eaton Fire. Donate at BrotherhoodCrusade.org. Have updates or firsthand stories? Contact Colby.

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