It’s often unclear what sparks curiosity and where it leads. Recently, I found myself wondering about the founders of Netflix—remembering the early days of DVDs arriving by mail—and whether they were still involved.

A quick search showed that co-founder Reed Hastings, who started Netflix in 1997, recently stepped down as CEO to become Chairman. As someone interested in founder transitions, I find his long tenure striking. His ownership stake is now small, but his philanthropic impact is not—he and his wife have given over $2 billion, including $120 million to historically Black colleges and the United Negro College Fund.

That thread of curiosity unexpectedly led me to Netflix’s 2025 documentary on Ed Sullivan, Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan.

Ed Sullivan always looked like an awkward, crusty old guy when I watched him on TV as a child and young adult. After finishing a commitment to six seasons of Young Sheldon (more on that in another post), Geraldine and I were looking for something to watch. The Ed Sullivan documentary popped up on Netflix. Geraldine was interested because her family had watched the show. I wasn’t, based on my earlier impressions.

We ended up watching it. Once again, my preconceived notions were challenged. Who would have thought that Ed Sullivan, in his own way, was a courageous civil rights advocate who took a stand against his sponsor to bring new and diverse talent to the American people on The Ed Sullivan Show?

After watching the film, I still wondered how my impression and what I had just learned could be so far apart. A little digging revealed that Sunday Best: The Untold Story of Ed Sullivan is grounded in real history but shaped by the point of view of its producers—people connected with Sullivan.

Critics note that the story is told largely from Sullivan’s perspective and does not fully address his limited involvement in the broader civil rights movement. It leans toward celebration rather than critique, offering a curated portrait that highlights his contributions while leaving some context in the background. The result is less a detached biography than a thoughtful argument about the power of cultural visibility in advancing racial change.

What stands out is the recognition that he introduced Black artists to mainstream America at a time of deep segregation. The show debuted as Toast of the Town in June 1948. Sullivan grew up in Harlem and had connections to Black artists and performances throughout New York City.

The documentary highlights how he used his platform to bring Black artists into American living rooms. He introduced performers who became legends and household names—Harry Belafonte, Dionne Warwick, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, the Jackson Five, and James Brown, among others. Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy Jr., founder of Motown Records, reflect on the importance of Sullivan’s role in opening doors to wider audiences. Belafonte places this in the broader context of the civil rights movement and the racism Black musicians faced, particularly in the South.

While Sullivan is often remembered for introducing Elvis Presley and the Beatles, his role in expanding access to white audiences for Black performers is significant.

The Ed Sullivan Show (and its predecessor, Toast of the Town) aired from June 1948 to March 28, 1971.

Watching this on Netflix also raised a broader question for me: how the platform’s choices reflect its ongoing engagement with racial justice storytelling. The investment in this documentary suggests a continued commitment, even if it is less visible than in the period following George Floyd’s murder in 2020 and amid more recent pressures on corporations to step back from DEI efforts.

My takeaway is that we each have unique opportunities to speak out against racism and to advance racial equity. Ed Sullivan made choices in his career that advanced equality and justice. Netflix is making its choices. Both offer a reminder to ask ourselves—as individuals, groups, and organizations—each day: “What can I do today to advance equality and justice?”