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Described by Oprah Winfrey as...

“the embodiment of Black Boy Joy,”

Robert Hartwell is a radiant force in television, media, and entrepreneurship.

“You can't watch the show without smiling—thats what we need now. Robert, you answered the call!”

LENA WAITHE

“This show is a gift—and it's a gift that people didn't know they needed!”

Colman Domingo

“I have devoured every episode—there's intention and purpose behind everything Robert brought into the home!”

Danielle Brooks

FOR YOUR EMMY® CONSIDERATION

“Breaking New Ground”

Currently streaming on:

HOST

Robert Hartwell

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Robert Hartwell

PRODUCTION

OWN, HGTV, Scott Brothers Entertainment

Robert doesn’t just host the show—he led every aspect of its creation, from concept development and casting to design and final cut, making him the first Black gay man to star in and executive produce a home renovation series.

Season 1, Episode 1

Paulette's Parlour

New to Great Barrington, MA, Robert meets his team to begin renovation on his 4000-square-foot, 200-year-old home. On a mission to protect and salvage as much of the home’s original details as possible, Robert must make some hard decisions. Robert, a single man juggling the challenges of new home ownership and his business finds a way to bring his family legacy with him on the journey. The parlor becomes the first room to receive a special dedication.

 

Season 1, Episode 2

Kitchen + Dining Room

Robert is slowly becoming a member of the Great Barrington, MA community. However, before he finally rests his head, he must fix himself a plate. The construction of the kitchen and the dining room turn out to be one of the biggest financial challenges for Robert to date. Robert must find a way to balance the books while making a million decisions. This space, with a troubling legacy, receives new life and a new story.

 

Season 1, Episode 3

Primary Suite

Robert has visions of a primary suite where he can rest, dream, and reflect. After a tumultuous 2020, this unconventional sanctuary will be more than just a place to sleep. Robert is on a mission to understand where he comes from, who came before him, and how he became the person he is. A deep dive into family and history lays the foundation for this special space with a surprise guest reveal.

 

Season 1, Episode 4

Living Room, Study, and Exterior

The grand exterior columns that drew Robert to this house, lead us into the family room and study. Robert is juggling his time between Great Barrington, MA, and NYC, trying to keep up with creative and construction challenges. To stay focused, Robert leans on his best friends and takes time to learn a bit more about his new home and community. The exterior facade, family room, and study shine in their new beginnings, with love at the core.

 

Season 1, Episode 5

Darius's Dance Studio

Who wants a dance studio in their home? Robert does! As Great Barrington, MA, is starting to feel like home, Robert continues to push his team into new and uncharted waters. The dream is to build a beautiful dance studio using original details and flooring to make this one-of-a-kind space fly. Robert is also manifesting a room for a future family, with the belief if it’s built, they will come. Faced with financial, personal, and construction challenges, this space pushes Robert to reflect on his original intention, to fill this house with joy.

 

Season 1, Episode 6

Mom's Suite + Finale

Roberts’s mother, Elizabeth, has been along for the entire journey to this house, so naturally, a room for her is a must. On a mission to finish his house, Robert works around the clock to make sure this special room is fit for a queen. Elizabeth has no idea what Robert has in store for her. Family, history, loss, and perseverance brought Robert to this house. Great Barrington, MA, is closer to being home, and the culmination of love and joy is revealed.

 

Robert is the host and executive producer of Breaking New Ground—a genre-expanding renovation series co-produced by HGTV and the Oprah Winfrey Network, currently streaming on HBO MAX.

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Selected Press

Selected Press

The Kelly Clarkson Show

The Tamron Hall Show

CBS Mornings

Access Hollywood

Good Morning America

Coming Home Tour

SPEAKING

Robert is a nationally recognized speaker, Broadway performer, and TV host. Whether on stage or screen, his story-centered keynotes inspire transformation.

Robert believes your story is not over yet.
*
If you’re alive
*
If your heart is beating
*
Your next chapter is waiting to be written.

Robert is Available
for:

KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS

Corporate leadership events

Brand campaigns + media appearances

Broadway, Entrepreneurship, and Legacy

Before making his mark in television, Robert performed in 5 Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals (Dreamgirls, Memphis, Nice Work If You Can Get It, Cinderella, Motown, and Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler) and appeared in Pharrell and Jay-Z’s "Entrepreneur" music video.

In 2016, he founded The Broadway Collective, a Musical Theatre education company for students 12-18, that achieved 440% revenue growth and a spot on the Inc. 5000 list as "one of the fastest growing private companies in America.”

In 2022, he launched Strength On Stages, a premier speaker training program that helps entrepreneurs tell their stories and amplify their voice in media and business.

Working with Robert

Contact

Robert’s Team

publicist

Yvette Noel Schure + Andre Morris
Schure Media Group
yns at schuremediagroup dot com
am at schuremediagroup dot com

Agent

Santini Reali + Hannah Epstein
CAA
santini.reali at caa dot com
hannah.epstein at caa dot com

Speaking Agent

Kip Ludwig
CAA
kip.ludwig at caa dot com
kip.ludwigasst at caa dot com

Manager

Cameron Kadison
Mortar Media
ckadison at mortarmedia dot com 424.253.6740

Brand Partnerships

Yale Jesser + Donovan Tatum
CAA
yale.jesser at caa dot com donovan.tatum at caa dot com

Executive Assistant

Ethan Benson
executive at bwaycollective dot com

When not speaking or producing, Robert obsesses over NPR, perfecting his La Marzocco latte art, and dusting his 21 chandeliers.

He splits his time between New York City, Los Angeles, and his 1820 mansion in Massachusetts.


On Juneteenth, Robert purchased a 200-year-old colonial mansion—originally built during slavery—and transformed it into a vibrant space of liberation and legacy.

The story went viral, reaching millions, and BREAKING NEW GROUND became more than a renovation show—it became a cultural revelation.

Robert’s work has been featured on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Good Morning America, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Tamron Hall, Access Hollywood, The New York Times, People, and Elle Decor.

Topic 1

Ask for Miracles

A transformational talk that guides audiences through the power of owning and sharing their own story. Miracles happen when you make your life visible.

Topic 2

Pain Producing Purpose

Based on Robert’s own life story—when a devastating loss led to the historic home purchase that changed everything. This talk helps audiences turn hardship into legacy.

Topic 3

Get Back in the Room

A vibrant, funny, and gut-honest keynote about rejection, resilience, and the reality of chasing big dreams. For anyone who needs the courage to keep showing up.