By 
Charles D. King believes in the power of storytelling to bring people together — to help see past their differences and celebrate their shared humanity.
In fact, he’s made it his life’s work, both as the first Black partner at the prestigious William Morris Endeavor agency and as CEO of MACRO, the integrated media company he founded in 2015 to elevate the voices and stories of people of color in film, television and digital content. WKKF proudly supports MACRO through its Mission Driven Investment program.
Recently, King shared a story about the highly acclaimed 2016 motion picture “Fences,” that illustrates the power of storytelling to depict shared human experiences, regardless of differences in race or cultural identity. The movie, which he and MACRO co-executive produced and co-financed, stars Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. The film is based on a play written by famed Black playwright, August Wilson, and set in the 1950s. A close friend of King’s who came from a vastly different cultural background than the characters in the film phoned King after watching it.
“He was almost in tears,” King recalled. “He said, ‘Charles, this is the first time I’ve seen a movie where it showed what my relationship was with my dad …I see my dad in Denzel Washington and myself in [Jovan Adepo] who played Denzel Washington’s son.”
To King, the experience showed how a story, well told, can narrow the distance between us — across culture and even generations — to “make the world a better place.”
It’s a sentiment at the core of the National Day of Racial Healing, which marks its 10th annual on Jan. 20, 2026. That week, WKKF will also announce 10 finalists in the “How We Heal: Films that connect us, stories that renew us” short film lab for emerging filmmakers whose work, much like the stories King champions, highlight the importance of racial healing, equity and belonging.
From the beginning, storytelling influenced King’s professional journey. Inspired by the character of Jonathan Rollins, the young Black lawyer portrayed by Blair Underwood on “L.A. Law,” King studied law at Howard University. There, he developed a vision that brought together law, civil rights, entertainment, community and media.
After earning his law degree, he moved to California and launched a career in entertainment law, eventually breaking barriers at William Morris, where his clients included luminaries such as Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Prince, Janet Jackson and Terrence Howard.
But King wanted to do more. He wanted to create an entertainment company that would shape culture and uplift Black communities while also investing in them. MACRO is that company, serving a vibrant, but often overlooked market, by investing in and co-producing “stories with great content that serves a greater purpose.”
MACRO is also challenging norms in the film industry. As Ryan Coogler’s manager, King advised the acclaimed director on a historic deal that gave him more ownership rights and creative control for the 2025 movie “Sinners” than are typically offered to film directors. MACRO’s work with Coogler demonstrates the firm’s commitment to creating compelling, dynamic films and television shows while improving economic opportunities for filmmakers and others in the industry.
MACRO’s success has also spurred other production companies to raise capital for investing in films that change narratives by elevating fresh voices that represent a richer tapestry of human experiences.
“We are helping to move the marketplace,” King said.
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