EP 139: The Black Bart of Taco King #17 with Writer/Director/Producer Rickey Larke

In this episode of Visual Intonation, we sit down with Rickey Larke, a filmmaker whose work pulses with heart, hustle, and an unshakable sense of purpose. From a childhood of sneaking candy into the AMC Showplace 12 in Bolingbrook, Illinois, to helming his most ambitious short film The Black Bart of Taco King #17, Rickey’s journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and community. This is a conversation about the grind behind the glamour, the ten-year climb from unpaid PA gigs to producing a union-waivered short film during a historic industry shutdown. 

Rickey shares the full arc — from shooting music videos in Chicago to landing a desk at HBO, then stepping into writers’ rooms on Black-ish, Kenan, and Grown-ish. Now a supervising producer at NBCUniversal, his path wasn’t paved by privilege but powered by relentless work ethic, a deep love for storytelling, and the quiet pride of staying late, showing up early, and being the one who says yes when others hesitate. He talks candidly about the lessons learned behind the camera and the quiet victories that matter most, like wiring a gaffer her pay out of pocket, just to make sure she got what she was owed. 

We dig into The Black Bart of Taco King #17, a stylish and subversive short that premiered at the 2025 Essence Film Festival. Starring Jasmine Matthews and Derrick A. King, it’s a cinematic duel at the dinner table, a heist of words and glances set in a dimly lit bar. Rickey breaks down how the film came together — the strikes, the stakes, the silent prayers behind every take — and what it means to create something with and for the communities that raised him. It’s not just a film. It’s a mirror, a mission, and maybe even a movement. 

This episode is about more than credits or accolades. It’s about what it takes to build a career from the ground up, to lead with heart and hustle, and to make art that brings people closer. Rickey doesn’t just want his work seen — he wants it felt, remembered, talked about in cars and kitchens long after the credits roll. So take a seat, press play, and step inside the world of a storyteller who’s building something bigger than himself. 

Rickey Larke's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/directedbylarke/?hl=en 

Rickey Larke's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickey-larke-5288a957 

Rickey Larke's BlkLst: https://blcklst.com/profile/directedbylarke 

Rickey Larke's IMDB: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm10955561/