The Access Index Heads North: RAATV Announces Franchise Expansion with The Access Index: Chicago, Casting August 2026
Following the June 19 premiere of The Access Index: Jackson, RAATV's flagship docu-reality franchise moves to Chicago — casting opens August 2026.
CHICAGO, Ill. — RAATV announced today that its flagship docu-reality franchise, The Access Index, will expand to Chicago following the June 19, 2026 premiere of the franchise's first installment, The Access Index: Jackson. Casting for The Access Index: Chicago will open in August 2026.
"The Access Index was never meant to be limited to one city," said Peggy Jara Everett, Creator and Executive Producer. "Every major city has influential women, exclusive circles, and unspoken hierarchies. Chicago is the next evolution of the franchise."
The Chicago series will follow the same documentary-reality format that defines the franchise — real Black businesswomen, real circles of influence, real consequences. The Chicago cast will be drawn from the city's powerhouse class of Black entrepreneurs across real estate, fashion, finance, media, and the arts.
"Every city has powerful women," Everett continued. "But only a few control the Index."
The Access Index: Jackson — the franchise's flagship installment — premieres Friday, June 19, 2026 at 7 PM CT exclusively on RAATV. The Jackson series follows six real Black businesswomen navigating Jackson, Mississippi's elite social and business circles.
The Access Index: Chicago will be the second installment of the franchise, with additional cities under early development.
Casting inquiries and talent referrals can be directed to press@luxplemedia.com with the subject line "Access Index Chicago."
PRODUCTION CREDITS — Created and Executive Produced by Peggy Jara Everett. Co-Creator, Show Producer, and Director: Larry Ingram. A RAATV Original.
About RAATV — RAATV (Rich Azz Auntie TV) is an independent, Black-owned streaming network headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, founded by media entrepreneur Jara Everett. The platform launches on Android (Google Play) and the web at raatv.net on June 19, 2026, with apps for Apple, Samsung Smart TVs, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV rolling out across summer 2026.