The reason why I enjoy television and film is because in the words of The Incredible Jessica James, I enjoy dialogue-driven dramas that explore the human condition. I also relish learning about different perspectives, behaviors and complexities, and getting a glimpse into different cultures.
I was motivated to pursue production due to the pervasive lack of multidimensional Black characters in film and television. From age 10 onwards there was a growing disconnect in the amount of images I saw that related to me.
I am now beside myself, overcome with joy, at how many new shows are debuting, telling stories of Black women and men that are genuine and chock-full of the range of human emotions we all possess.
These portrayals thankfully go against the stereotypical representations of Black humans in cinema often manifested in a “sassy,” maternal, funny but undesirable Black woman and/or femme, and the overtly sexual, cowardly but strong, shortsighted Black man who serves as comedic relief. They are usually sidekicks if not background characters.
While we had a few television classics in the 90’s such as Family Matters, Living Single, Sister, Sister, and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the aughts dried up such visual models of everyday Black American life, instead giving birth to the ever-controversial yet addictive “reality TV” genre. I would argue that the docuseries genre spawned a new-age Blaxploitation, particularly as it relates to on-screen portrayals of Black women.
From Insecure to Black Panther, we can finally see lead Black actors within numerous cinematic genres, giving us representation within various storylines and coming from different walks of life. In this blog I will explore the character development, cinematography, and main themes of such series because thoughtful, nuanced entertainment that centers Black humanity matters - Black narratives matter!
Yesss! Two years later, the second iteration of this South African drama has blown its predecessor out of the water. It was certainly worth the wait. The writing, acting, cinematography, and character development all take it up a notch this season. It’s kind of like watching a whole new show.
Read MoreSavage Beauty revolves around a young woman who is seeking revenge for the crimes committed against her and her siblings by a ruthless cosmetics company. She cleverly infiltrates the family enterprise in an effort to expose its colorism and criminality.
Read MoreI think the first interesting point about this show is that the cast is entirely eclectic and diverse: three Black women, three white women, all from different ethnic backgrounds and nationalities. Dubai also of course attracts many people from around the world so it’s a truly global experience.
Read MoreSpring has sprung! We’ll delve into the latest drama, thriller and docu-series that are returning and premiering this month. I have streamed two of the three titles already; so far I am less than thrilled by what is coming down the pike as far as original content goes.
Read MoreI live to see empowered Black women. Empowerment can take the form of sexual expression, financial freedom, social progress, fulfilling one's purpose, career advancement, having a family, etc. In this post I feature three visual accounts of Black women pursuing prosperity via their entrepreneurial ventures. Celebrate this International Women's Day by watching some Black women bosses in action.
Read MoreWhat's better than a great movie with a developed and dynamic Black female lead? The representation of Black women in television and film, particularly when it comes to starring roles, is still fraught with inequity. That said, I've listed some of my favorite movies starring and centering Black women. Celebrate Women's History Month with these slightly oldie but certainly goody films featuring bold and badass women.
Read MoreBlack women deserve to take up space everywhere, romantic storytelling included. These picks run the gamut of romance from comedy to drama. Curl up to watch them this Valentine's Day or any other time you're in the mood to see sparks fly on the screen.
Read MoreI forgot that rom-coms were meant to be tacky as I had uncovered some gems during quarantine. A few of them have a level of finesse that renders them more entertaining than corny; some have better writing, acting, and directing than others. In this post I write about rom-coms that feature and center Black love.
Read MoreMy initial discovery and subsequent pursuit of Nollywood films spawned into an even bigger appetite for African television and film when I stumbled upon The Africa Channel. I found it refreshing to see people who look like me within stories, and their characters not having to reconcile with their race. Here I share a few of the series that I discovered on the channel which are available to stream on various platforms.
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