By Staff
With more than 25 years spanning editing, producing, and show running, Ri-Karlo Handy has evolved into a leading force shaping both the business and future workforce of entertainment. As CEO of Sunwise Media and Founder & CEO of The Handy Foundation, he operates at the intersection of content creation, workforce development, and industry innovation—building a scalable ecosystem that develops hit programming while opening doors for the next generation of talent.
Under his leadership, Sunwise Media continues to expand its footprint in premium unscripted storytelling. Handy currently serves as showrunner and executive producer of Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City, which was greenlit for Season 2, as announced by SI.com. His work reflects a consistent focus on culturally resonant, high-impact storytelling that travels across platforms and audiences.
Most recently, Handy served as Senior Vice President of Unscripted at Blink49 Studios, where he oversaw creative for a slate of successful series including The Braxtons and Toya & Reginae. Prior to that, as Vice President of Original Programming at Bounce TV, he created the hit drama Saints & Sinners (now streaming on Hulu) and played a key role in elevating the network to a top-ranked destination among African American viewers.
Handy’s producing career includes collaborations with major networks and platforms including MTV, OWN, BET, and STARZ. His accolades include a Daytime Emmy nomination for Harlem Globetrotters: Play It Forward (hosted by Craig Robinson), as well as a PRISM Award and NAACP Image Award nomination for Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is. Two shows for which
Ri-Karlo serves as showrunner were recently nominated for two 2026 NAMIC Next Vision Awards – Harlem Globetrotters: Secrets of the City (Aspire) and The Braxtons (WeTV).
Through The Handy Foundation, Handy is driving one of the industry’s most impactful workforce initiatives—developing federally registered apprenticeship programs that provide paid,
real-world pathways into below-the-line careers. In partnership with organizations including the California Film Commission, NAACP, Netflix, NBCUniversal, Lionsgate, ITV, Bunim Murray, Roku, and AMC, the foundation has helped place trainees across major productions—demonstrating a scalable solution to Hollywood’s pipeline challenges. Notably, apprentices from the program are contributing to high-profile projects including the upcoming Michael, which premieres this April.
Expanding his impact beyond production, Handy also leads HollywoodIQ, a fast-growing platform and community designed to equip creatives and content entrepreneurs with the insights, access, and tools needed to build sustainable careers in entertainment.
A proven innovator, Handy launched The Post House Collective, a virtual post-production company, during the pandemic—pioneering remote workflows that continue to support producers and networks today.
His recent honors include the 2024 Walter Kaitz Foundation Change Maker Award (with a
$30,000 grant), the 2025 NATPE Honors “Cause + Action Award,” and recognition as a 2025 AdColor “Rockstar” Award honoree. He is a sought-after speaker, appearing at major industry gatherings including Urbanworld, Realscreen, and NAB.
A member of Local 700, the Television Academy, the Producers Guild of America (PGA), and the Entertainment Equity Alliance, Handy remains committed to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready entertainment industry—where access, opportunity, and excellence go hand in hand.
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