Hilarie Burton Champions Juneteenth on Black-Owned KweliTV
Stream this award-winning doc to mark freedom day on a service highlighting Black voices.
Image: Instagram
Hilarie Burton Champions Juneteenth Streaming
On June 19, actress Hilarie Burton took to Instagram with a simple yet impactful message. Under the caption “For #Juneteenth, stream the award-winning documentary @wilmingtononfire on @kwelitv, a black-owned streaming service that focuses on showcasing global Black stories. Watch today at www.kweli.tv!”, Burton urged her followers to mark the holiday by watching Wilmington On Fire on KweliTV. The post, which features Burton holding her remote control in front of a screen displaying the KweliTV interface, has quickly become a rallying point for fans looking to deepen their understanding of Black history.
Why ‘wilmington On Fire’ Resonates Today
Wilmington On Fire is a critically acclaimed 2022 documentary directed by Christopher Everett that chronicles the 1898 coup d’état in Wilmington, North Carolina. Once America’s only city governed by a multiracial coalition and led by a Black mayor, Wilmington was overtaken by White supremacists in a violent power grab that reshaped the region’s social and political landscape. Featuring archival footage, expert interviews and firsthand accounts, the film has garnered praise on the festival circuit, earning awards at the Carolina Film & Video Festival and the StandwithDoc Festival. By spotlighting this lesser-known chapter of American history, Wilmington On Fire has been celebrated for its unflinching look at a pivotal moment that still echoes in conversations about race, justice and democracy.
Burton’s Ongoing Community Support
This latest post is in line with Burton’s history of leveraging her platform for social causes. In May, the actress shared a community-focused Instagram update promoting PTSO Discount Cards for Rhinebeck schools. “Get your PTSO Discount Cards now!” Burton wrote, noting how she and her son were on the ground helping with sales next to Samuel’s Sweet Shop. The fundraiser, which offered savings at local businesses like Land of Oz and Winter Sun & Summer Moon, underscored Burton’s commitment to community-driven initiatives, whether at a national holiday or a hometown school event.
A graduate of Marymount Manhattan College, Burton first rose to fame as Peyton Sawyer on the hit teen drama One Tree Hill. Over two decades, she has built a varied career with roles in White Collar, Grey’s Anatomy and the supernatural series Supernatural. Married since 2019 to actor Jeffrey Dean Morgan, she balances life as a mother of two with selective creative projects that reflect her passion for storytelling and social impact.
A Personal Connection To Cultural Storytelling
Burton often shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her home life and work. The couple—parents to son Gus and daughter Brooklynn—recently took a family trip to Paris, turning what was meant to be a honeymoon into a cultural exploration that blended work commitments and personal milestones. Whether in a director’s chair on AMC’s The Walking Dead: Dead City or attending a local school fundraiser, Burton’s posts offer authenticity that resonates with her three-million-plus Instagram followers.
By encouraging her audience to explore Wilmington On Fire, Burton highlights the importance of education through film. KweliTV, the platform she spotlighted, launched in 2020 with a mission to amplify under-represented voices. Named after the Swahili word for “truth,” the service features documentaries, features and series that center Black experiences from Africa to the African diaspora. This Juneteenth, the pairing of Burton’s reach and Wilmington On Fire’s urgent message has created a timely synergy, inviting viewers to reflect on history and its present-day impacts.
How To Stream On Kwelitv
KweliTV is accessible online at www.kweli.tv, offering a free trial and subscription options starting at $4.99 per month. Wilmington On Fire sits among a growing catalog of original and acquired titles, all curated to spotlight voices that often go unheard in mainstream media. For Juneteenth, the service waived its paywall for the documentary’s week-long run, making it available at no cost to new and returning viewers alike. With a focus on mobile optimization and smart-TV support, KweliTV ensures that stories like Wilmington On Fire remain both accessible and impactful.
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