Blue Ant Studios has inked a factual-focused development deal with Surviving R. Kelly producer Tamra Simmons.

Under the agreement, Simmons, who is the CEO of Atlanta-based firm The Tamra Simmons Brand Agency, will collaborate with Blue Ant Studios on sourcing and producing a slate of projects that “explore diverse perspectives and experiences.”

“Tamra’s work has so much heart, and her relationships with diverse talent and storytellers are impressive. We can’t wait to partner with her to produce projects that tell important, urgent, and entertaining stories about the world around us,” said Laura Michalchyshyn, co-president of Blue Ant Studios, in a statement.

Best known for her work on the award-winning Lifetime docuseries Surviving R. Kelly, and later its follow up Surviving R. Kelly Part II: The Reckoning, Simmons’ other credits include Growing Up Hip Hop, Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta, Mary Mary and Words of Wisdom: Faith & Forgiveness. 

Of the deal, Simmons said, “I’m confident that our synergy will do more than just give audiences something else that’s just like everything else to watch. We will produce diverse, intriguing and unique television that will leave a memorable and lasting imprint.”

Blue Ant Studios’ SVP of unscripted content, Jennifer Harkness added: “We couldn’t envision a better collaborator to bring her unique perspective to our slate as we continue to grow our unscripted business and develop creator-driven content that challenges, entertains, and amplifies a broad range of experiences.”