Exclusive Interview: Kwame Alexander, Kimberly A. Harrison, and Damani Johnson Talk The Crossover

Kwame Alexander, Kimberly A. Harrison, and Damani Johnson are the creative team behind the must-see new series, The Crossover.

Based on the critically-acclaimed best-selling novel in-verse by Kwame Alexander, The Crossover introduces teen brothers Josh and Jordan Bell, widely considered basketball phenoms. Through his lyrical poetry, an adult version of Josh, aka Filthy McNasty, narrates the story of he and his brother’s coming of age, on and off the court, as their former professional basketball player father adjusts to life after basketball, and their mother finally pursues lifelong dreams of her own.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Kwame, Kimberly, and Damani about The Crossover, the series’ important storylines, and more.

PC: Kwame, you shared this beautiful post on social media that when you started writing this novel over a decade ago, you could have never imagined the journey that it’s had. As you’ve brought this beloved story to a new medium, has anything surprised you about the experience? How did you create the environment on set where each of these actors could bring their own take and interpretation of these beloved characters that I imagine you hold so close to your heart?
Kwame: When I was writing the book, I was listening to jazz music. I was in Panera Bread eating mac and cheese. I was in my zone, loving it, feeling good, crying, laughing, hoping, and dreaming. When I came on set for the first time in 2021 in the production office, there were a lot of people working and the energy was working, and that’s great.

I remember the first day I came in and I started walking around, “Hey, how you doing? Hey, how are you doing?” I’m waving. People are like, “Why is he so happy? Why is he so joyous and cheerful?” I wanted to create this energy that I had when I was writing the book of joy, happiness, and cheer because I knew the work we were about to do together, and in order to create that on screen, I felt like it was important that we had that with our team. That was my goal.

I feel like by the second week when I walked in the production offices, people were like, “Hey, Kwame, how are you doing?” It was that energy that we recreated on the set. The cast, crew, and producers are one big family, which is ultimately what the show we wanted to make is: it’s a show about family.

PC: Kimberly, you’ve always brought your own personal experiences into the projects that you’ve attached yourself to, which brings a different level of authenticity. Was there a particular storyline within the series that hit home for you and that you’re excited to share with audiences?
Kimberly: The ADHD storyline and mental health. My kids have ADHD, and for them to see a boy who looks like them and is going through the same thing that they’re going through shows the importance of representation. That’s what really tugged at my heart. I fell in love with this show and the amount of things that we’re able to cover and touch on, and connect with folks.

PC: Damani, this series has such a strong emphasis that in the game of life, you need to know who’s on your team. Who have been the people in your own life who have shaped the storyteller and artist that you are today?
Damani: I shouldn’t say everybody, but there’s so much of us and our life lessons in the actual show —the father, the mother, me and my wife together, the grandmother, my mom, my dad, my sister, my best friends (who are my brothers), and the people that I work with. That’s the beauty of being a writer. Every day is a learning experience, and we were blessed to have a super-strong team.

Make sure to follow Kwame (Twitter/Instagram), Kimberly (Twitter/Instagram), and Damani (Instagram). Watch The Crossover on Disney+ today.