Key Shows
"Julia" (1965-1971):
Synopsis: "Julia" starred Diahann Carroll as Julia Baker, a widowed nurse raising her young son Corey. The show depicted Julia's life as she navigated her career and balanced her responsibilities as a single mother.
"Star Trek" (1966-1969):
Synopsis: "Star Trek" is a science fiction series set in the future, following the crew of the starship USS Enterprise. Nichelle Nichols portrayed Lieutenant Uhura, the communications officer, who played a significant role in the diverse and inclusive cast.
"Get Christie Love!" (1974-1975):
Synopsis: "Get Christie Love!" starred Teresa Graves as Christie Love, an undercover detective with the Los Angeles Police Department. The show followed her thrilling and action-packed adventures as she fought crime.
"The Jeffersons" (1975-1985):
Synopsis: "The Jeffersons" was a sitcom that focused on the lives of George and Louise Jefferson, an African-American couple who achieved success and moved from a working-class neighborhood to a luxury apartment on the East Side of Manhattan.
"A Different World" (1987-1993):
Synopsis: "A Different World" was a spin-off of "The Cosby Show" and followed the lives of students at the fictional Hillman College, a historically black college. The show addressed social issues and portrayed the experiences of young black adults.
"Insecure" (2016-2021):
Synopsis: "Insecure" follows the life of Issa Dee (played by Issa Rae), a young African-American woman navigating friendships, relationships, and careers in Los Angeles. The show explores themes of identity, love, and self-discovery.
"Pose" (2018-2021):
Synopsis: "Pose" is set in the ballroom culture scene of the 1980s and '90s in New York City. The series showcases the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals, predominantly black and Latinx, and explores themes of identity, family, and resilience.
"I May Destroy You" (2020):
Synopsis: "I May Destroy You" is a drama series created, written, and starring Michaela Coel. The show follows Arabella, a young writer who seeks to rebuild her life after a traumatic event, addressing themes of consent, trauma, and identity.
"Lovecraft Country" (2020):
Synopsis: "Lovecraft Country" is a horror drama series based on the novel by Matt Ruff. Set in the 1950s, it follows Atticus Freeman, his friend Letitia, and his uncle George as they encounter both supernatural horrors and the racism of the era during their road trip across America.
"A Black Lady Sketch Show" (2019-present):
Synopsis: "A Black Lady Sketch Show" is a comedy series created by Robin Thede, featuring a core cast of black women comedians. The show offers a unique and hilarious perspective on various topics through sketch comedy.
"Queen Sugar" (2016-2022):
Synopsis: "Queen Sugar" follows the lives of the Bordelon siblings—Nova (played by Rutina Wesley), Charley (played by Dawn-Lyen Gardner), and Ralph Angel (played by Kofi Siriboe)—as they inherit their late father's sugarcane farm in Louisiana. The show, executive produced by Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey, explores the complexities of family dynamics, racial tensions, and the pursuit of justice in a changing world.
"Black-ish" (2014-2022):
Synopsis: "Black-ish" centers around the Johnson family, led by Andre "Dre" Johnson (played by Anthony Anderson) and Rainbow Johnson (played by Tracee Ellis Ross), an upper-middle-class African-American couple raising their children in a predominantly white neighborhood. Through humor and wit, the series, created by Kenya Barris, tackles various social and cultural issues, offering a satirical and thought-provoking examination of contemporary African-American life.
"Power" (2014-2020):
Synopsis: "Power" follows the life of James St. Patrick, also known as "Ghost" (played by Omari Hardwick), a successful nightclub owner and drug kingpin operating in New York City. As Ghost balances his criminal activities with his desire to go legit, the series, created by Courtney A. Kemp, delves into themes of power, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, offering a gritty and intense portrayal of urban life.
"Dear White People" (2017-2021):
Synopsis: "Dear White People" is based on the film of the same name and revolves around a group of African-American students at a predominantly white Ivy League university. Through its witty and provocative storytelling, the series, created by Justin Simien, explores racial identity, cultural appropriation, and the challenges faced by marginalized communities in higher education, providing a critical and engaging examination of race relations.
"How to Get Away with Murder" (2014-2020):
Synopsis: "Power" follows the life of James St. Patrick, also known as "Ghost" (played by Omari Hardwick), a successful nightclub owner and drug kingpin operating in New York City. As Ghost balances his criminal activities with his desire to go legit, the series, created by Courtney A. Kemp, delves into themes of power, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, offering a gritty and intense portrayal of urban life.
"Luke Cage" (2016-2018):
Synopsis: "Luke Cage" is a Marvel superhero series that centers around the titular character, Luke Cage (played by Mike Colter), a bulletproof African-American man with superhuman strength.