We recently connected with Svetlana Chernienko and have shared our conversation below.

Svetlana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

For Us TV was born because I got tired of watching us ask permission to exist in spaces that were never built for us. My mission is to flip the script to take back our stories from the hands of people who water them down, profit off our pain, and never walk a mile in our shoes. This isn’t just another streaming platform ; it’s cultural reclamation.

For Us TV is proof that when we own the narrative, we own the future. We’re not waiting for a seat , we’re blueprinting the whole damn house. We’re not here to fit someone else’s mold of diversity; we’re here to protect our truths, pay our people what they’re worth, and make sure our brilliance can’t be boxed in or erased.

Our stories. Our lens. Our legacy uncensored, untouched, and undeniable. This is my love letter and my battle cry all at once: representation isn’t charity ; it’s power. And For Us TV is where that power finally lives.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

At my core, I’m a storyteller and a disruptor. I’ve never been afraid to shine a light where others would rather keep things hidden. I grew up around the film and entertainment industry. My mother was a celebrity film makeup artist, and my father was a renowned fashion and celebrity photographer. Storytelling through visuals was in my blood long before I ever realized I’d build my own platform for it. But I didn’t just inherit the glamour; I inherited their grit too. My parents worked tirelessly for everything they had. Nothing was handed to them. They showed me what it means to hustle for your dreams, to build your name with integrity, and to protect your craft fiercely.

I also lived the shadows behind the bright lights. I’m a survivor of domestic violence. I’ve battled depression. I’ve had to rebuild myself more than once, and I know what it feels like to be silenced or misunderstood. That’s why every project I touch ;whether it’s For Us TV, my mental health advocacy, or my work mentoring BIPOC creatives is rooted in truth, ownership, and representation.

For Us TV is my flagship. It’s not just another streaming platform; it’s a cultural vault, a living testament that our voices, our talent, and our stories hold power. We showcase films, docuseries, music, and original content created by Black and BIPOC storytellers who deserve to tell their own stories on their own terms.

Right now, we’re taking direct submissions from filmmakers with finished projects, and we’re producing our own original series too. We’ve had our share of setbacks and obstacles, like any real business does, but we’re coming back stronger than ever. We’re tentatively set to launch in the winter of 2025 to 2026, and we’re excited to have our own app available on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. We truly are the new era of streaming , built by us, for us, and for the culture.

What sets us apart is that this isn’t performative diversity. This is systemic change from the inside out. We don’t just platform our stories; we protect them. We don’t just cast our people; we pay them what they’re worth. We make sure our brilliance can’t be watered down, boxed in, or stolen.

Outside the platform, I lead initiatives that uplift voices that have been pushed to the margins for far too long. I work with mental health awareness, community advocacy, and I create spaces where people can speak truths that mainstream spaces often bury.

I’m most proud that I’ve never watered myself down to fit into a mold. My brand, my work, and my life all stand for the same thing: our stories, protected and told with integrity. I’m building what I wish existed when I was trying to find my place , a space where people can see themselves fully, know they belong, and never have to ask permission to exist as they are.

So whether you come to me as a filmmaker, a fan, or someone who just needs proof that resilience is possible, know this: I’m not here to make noise. I’m here to make history. For Us TV is proof that when we own the narrative, we own the future.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My entire life has been about resilience, but one story that really stands out is when I decided to build For Us TV from the ground up. I didn’t come from millions of dollars or investors handing me blank checks I came with a vision, grit, and a willingness to bet on myself even when the odds weren’t in my favor.

There were moments when I questioned everything. I’ve battled depression, survived domestic violence, and rebuilt my life more than once. But every time I got knocked down, I reminded myself that my story our stories deserve to be told by us, not stolen or watered down.

When I faced legal hurdles with my trademark, I fought for it because I knew how important it was to protect what I was building. I’ve lost people along the way who didn’t share the same vision or values, but what’s never changed is my belief in the power of owning our narrative. That’s the root of my resilience: no matter what tries to break me, I rebuild stronger every time — because I’m not just doing this for me. I’m doing it for every voice that’s been silenced or overlooked. I’m proof that you can survive, heal, and still build a legacy that’s bigger than your past.

Have you ever had to pivot?

There’s a line Megan Thee Stallion says: ‘Do it on your time, not theirs.’ I carry that with me now, but it took me a painful lesson to really understand what it means.

When I started For Us TV, I was so excited to bring people on board who I trusted and considered friends. I truly believed we’d build something great together something that would uplift everyone around us. In the beginning, it felt like we all shared the same vision, but what I quickly learned is that not everyone shows up with the same integrity or commitment when the real work begins.

Over time, I started noticing excuses, missed deadlines, and more focus on the money I was investing than the bigger mission. There was always questioning about how I was pulling it off, instead of real contribution or accountability. It was draining to feel like there were always unexpected hurdles. And as hard as it was to admit, I realized there were even moments where trust was broken people ignoring non-disclosure agreements, mishandling contacts, and acting in ways that didn’t align with the integrity I expect in my circle.

I wanted so badly for working together to change lives for the better. I thought my drive and belief in what we were building could shift everyone’s mindset. But you can’t force someone to want growth, and you can’t ignore red flags just because you care about people. Some people disappear during the struggle and only reappear when they think the glory is near.

I had to make the difficult decision to step back and cut ties, both professionally and personally. It wasn’t easy, but I realized if I wanted For Us TV to succeed, I couldn’t carry people who were secretly hoping to benefit without contributing or who were willing to cross lines that put my business at risk. I was the one investing my time, my money, and my name if they missed out, that wasn’t on me.

That pivot taught me that obstacles are sometimes blessings in disguise. They force you to pause, regroup, and protect what you’re building. Once I realigned my partnerships, secured my vision through my trademark, and tightened my circle, I found my footing again.

Like Megan says, you have to move on your time not someone else’s. You can’t wait for people to catch up to your vision. Pivoting might shake you, make you doubt yourself, and even knock you down. But it’s not how you fall that matters it’s how you get back up, guard your legacy, and keep moving forward, no matter who stays or who goes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.for-us.tv
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealsvetlana
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/forus.tv

Image Credits

All images belong to For Us Tv productions
And have been shot by our internal team.
I’ll copyrights and intellectual property belong to For Us Tv productions for any image credits