Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library: Check Out These Television Shows During Black History Month

Press release from the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library:

January 18, 2022

Celebrate Black History Month with a mix of historical and modern television from black creators.

Atlanta

Created by Donald Glover

This award-winning, dramedy series stars Donald Glover as Ernest Marks, a man trying to make a better life for himself and his daughter by managing his cousin, an up-and-coming rapper.

Being Mary Jane

Created by Mara Brock Akil

Brought to you by the creator of Girlfriends, this drama follows Mary Jane through her interpersonal struggles with family, love, and work.

Black-ish

Created by Kenya Barris

This award-winning, hilarious sitcom features an affluent African-American family living their everyday lives.

Black Lightning

Created by Salim Akil

This superhero drama follows a retired Black Lightning as he takes up the mantle once again to fight the 100 gang.

The Chi

Created by Lena Waithe

Drawing comparisons to The Wire, this drama series depicts the complexities and struggles of people living in Chicago’s South Side and boasts an amazing cast.

Dear White People

Created by Justin Simien

This dramedy is about college students at a prestigious university. Its focus on a single character every episode allows the entire cast to shine as they navigate important topics with heart, humor, and plenty of drama.

Empire

Created by Lee Daniels and Danny Strong

Empire follows a family managing a music and entertainment empire. The music, cast, and soap-opera levels of drama make this show stand out.

Insecure

Created by Issa Rae

This award-winning dramedy features two close friends as they navigate the awkwardness of life and relationships in modern America.

Key and Peele

Created by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele

This award-winning sketch show tackles issues of race relations/stereotypes and features one of the longest joke set-ups on television.

Lovecraft Country

Created by Micha Green

In search of his father, Atticus Freeman goes on a terrifying road trip through 1950’s America in this horror drama.

Power

Created by Courtney A. Kemp

This drama features the complicated life of a man who runs an elite nightclub hiding a criminal enterprise.

Scandal

Created by Shonda Rhimes

From the Creator of Grey’s Anatomy, this political drama promises intrigue, twists, of course, scandal. Olivia Pope confidently runs a crisis management firm while trying to hide her own affairs.

The Twilight Zone (2019)

Created by Simon Kinberg, Jordan Peele, and Marco Ramirez

With all the suspense and intrigue of the original show, this inclusive anthology series brings new twists and turns to a classic.

Underground

Created by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski

A heart-pounding, heart-wrenching drama about slaves making a break for it on the Underground Railroad.

Want more? Try these shows from over ten years ago.

• The Bernie Mac Show
• Chapelle’s Show
• A Different World
• Everybody Hates Chris
• Good Times
• House of Payne
• In Living Color
• Living Single
• Martin
• My Wife and Kids
• Sister, Sister
• Soul Food

This press release was produced by the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.