Watch Raising Whitley

Raising Whitley is a reality television series that premiered on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) in April 2013. The show stars comedian and actress Kym Whitley as she navigates the challenges of raising a child as a single parent. The series begins with the story of how Kym became a mother. In 2011, she received a phone call from the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services, informing her that a newborn baby named Joshua had been left at the hospital with no one to care for him. The baby's mother, a friend of Kym's, had listed Kym as the emergency contact. Kym was shocked to learn that she had been named as the baby's legal guardian, but despite her initial hesitation, she decided to take on the responsibility of raising the child.

From there, the show follows Kym as she navigates the ups and downs of motherhood with the help of her close-knit group of friends. Kym is a single woman with a busy career, so she relies heavily on her "village" to help her raise Joshua. This group includes her best friend and stylist, Rodney Van Johnson, her personal assistant Harold Bell, her friend and fellow comedian David Arnold, and her friend and entrepreneur, Joshua's godmother, Malika Haqq.

Throughout the series, Kym faces a variety of challenges as a first-time mother. She struggles to balance her work commitments with her responsibilities as a parent and often finds herself feeling overwhelmed and exhausted. However, she also experiences moments of joy and fulfillment as she watches Joshua grow and develop.

As the show progresses, viewers get to know each member of Kym's support system and learn more about their individual lives and struggles. Rodney, for example, is a former soap opera actor who is trying to rebuild his career after years away from the industry. Harold is a single father of three who works tirelessly to provide for his children. David is a divorced father who has recently re-entered the dating world. And Malika is an aspiring entrepreneur who is navigating the ups and downs of starting her own business.

The series also explores larger themes related to adoption and the foster care system. Kym is a vocal advocate for adoption and often speaks about her own experiences as a foster child. In several episodes, she works to raise awareness about the need for more foster parents and encourages others to consider adoption.

Overall, Raising Whitley offers a heartfelt and honest look at the challenges and joys of parenthood. It is a show that is relatable and entertaining, and one that will have viewers rooting for Kym and her village every step of the way.

Raising Whitley is a series that ran for 4 seasons (39 episodes) between April 20, 2013 and on OWN