Miami, FL (WFN) -- Robert Townsend is known for comedy films like "Hollywood Shuffle" but, these days, he's shuffling all over the U.S. looking for talent.

For the last few weeks, Townsend has been traveling the nation searching for undiscovered actors, singers and comedians to star in original cable series he is developing for a new channel called the Black Family Channel.

Townsend has seen thousands of aspiring entertainers and says there's lots of raw talent being found in the most unusual places.

For instance, there's the homeless woman who did a spoken word piece based around "Movin' On Up," the theme song to "The Jeffersons."

Not every actor chosen by Townsend will become a superstar but his track record for talent is pretty good. Some of the diamonds in the rough he helped discover in the past include Chris Tucker, Damon Wayans and Beyonce Knowles.

Townsend's search takes him to Miami on Saturday (Jun. 26) and some of his new finds will appear on the Black Family Channel when it officially debuts on October 1.

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