Mansa, a new free streaming platform for global Black culture, has officially launched and announced the close of an $8 million funding round.

The platform is funded by filmmakers and actors David Oyelowo, Nate Parker, and Chiké Okonkwo, along with tech entrepreneur and film financier Zak Tanjeloff. Mansa also received an investment from MaC Venture Capital and additional funding from WndrCo, Mike Novogratz’s Galaxy Investment Partners, Base Ventures, Dubin & Co., Rainmaker Films and billionaire Robert F. Smith, among others.

“Mansa is creating a space for diverse narratives, perspectives, characters and creators that continue to be underrepresented,” Erika Turner, Mansa chief content officer, said in a statement. “I’m honoured to help fill storytelling gaps for audiences still waiting to be served.”

The platform has over 1,500 hours of content and has secured partnerships with upwards of 50 content suppliers with over two dozen licensed digital-linear channels. Its programming will be available on Roku, Amazon FireTV, iOS, Android, Samsung, Vizio, LG, and web devices.

The creators of Mansa are hoping the streaming platform can be an incubator for young talent and will aim to recruit film professionals across the globe.

They will also look to leverage work from actors Idris Elba, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Trevor Noah, Zoe Kravitz, Halle Berry, and more, according to a statement.

“We aim to change the paradigm around creator fairness, solving to address long felt challenges in the industry through addressing, ownership, transparency and community on a foundational level,” Oyelowo said in a statement. “Mansa is diligently looking for content creators and companies within entertainment to work with, building a centralized hub where all can thrive together. To this point, that is something the establishment has been reluctant to do as a matter of practice. We will be announcing some very exciting partnerships and shows very soon.”