Rapper/actor 50 Cent has teamed up with the Sundance Channel as executive producer for the unscripted series Dream School.
The show follows innovators and leaders from a cross section of professions including music, politics, film, and science, who come together to create a “Dream School” for 15 troubled students in the Los Angeles area who have either been expelled or dropped out of the conventional school system.
A dream team of instructors, including Swizz Beats, Soledad O’Brien, David Arquette, Suze Orman, Jesse Jackson and Oliver Stone attempt to excite students and reignite their desire to learn.
50 Cent opened up about his decision to produce Dream School, along with the show’s creator Jamie Oliver, during an interview with theGrio.
“It’s an opportunity to utilize your celebrity and influence in a positive way,” he said. “Jamie Oliver’s people reached out to me, and the show was previously a success. I knew it would be a success here also. “
“I think it’s easier to receive messages that are not traditional, especially if it’s someone that’s an icon or someone that’s familiar in pop culture. It allows the kids to not be blocked by feeling like this person doesn’t actually understand or doesn’t relate to what’s going on at the moment.”
Dream School premieres on the Sundance Channel October 7 at 10/9c.
Follow Chris Witherspoon on Twitter at @WitherspoonC