How Sesame Street Changed Children’s Television

The Urban Revolution: How Sesame Street Changed Children’s Television

​For decades, Sesame Street has been a staple of early childhood education worldwide. However, few people realize that the program’s origins were deeply rooted in social activism and a specific mission to serve underprivileged communities. Originally designed as a tool for racial equity, the show aimed to bridge the educational gap for “inner-city” Black and Brown children who were often left behind by traditional media.

​The Visionaries Behind the Street

​The journey began with Lloyd Morrisett, a psychologist with a Ph.D. from Yale University. While serving as the vice president of the Carnegie Corporation, Morrisett noticed a disturbing trend: children in low-income urban environments were starting kindergarten months behind their middle-class peers. This “achievement gap” only widened as they progressed through school.

​Morrisett teamed up with Joan Ganz Cooney, a visionary producer and social activist. Together, they questioned whether the very medium that was often dismissed as “mindless”—television—could be harnessed to teach preschool essentials. Cooney’s landmark study, The Potential Uses of Television in Preschool Education, became the blueprint for what would eventually become the Children’s Television Workshop.

​Designing an Urban Sanctuary

​To bring this vision to life, Cooney recruited Jon Stone, a writer and producer who shared her passion for social justice. It was Stone who conceptualized the show’s iconic setting. Unlike other children’s programs of the era that featured manicured suburban lawns, Sesame Street was intentionally modeled after a gritty, vibrant New York City neighborhood.

​The aesthetic was unapologetically urban. The show integrated elements of “jive talk,” soul, and funk music, ensuring that Black and Brown children saw their own culture reflected on screen. The original human cast centered on Gordon and Susan, a Black couple who served as the heart of the community.

​Overcoming Systematic Resistance

​Because of its commitment to diversity, Sesame Street faced significant backlash. In 1970, a state commission in Mississippi famously banned the show from the airwaves. The commission argued that the integrated cast was “not yet appropriate” for their viewers. This decision sparked national outrage, and the ban was eventually overturned after the controversy made headlines.

​A Lasting Legacy of Inclusion

​Today, Sesame Street remains a testament to the power of intentional media. By combining experimental psychology with creative storytelling, Morrisett, Cooney, and Stone proved that television could be more than just a “babysitter.” It could be a catalyst for social change, providing every child regardless of their zip code a fair start in life.