The Best Black TV Shows To Stream Right Now

By Marriska Fernandes, ETCanada.com Staff. 17 Feb 2023 2:41 PM

As Black History Month continues, it’s important to shine a spotlight on the legacies of the Black trailblazers while also celebrating Black culture and Black joy. Besides award-winning movies, there are several TV shows that allow Black artists to shine.

Here’s a list of shows to watch this month and throughout the year.

Netflix

CR: Matthias Clamer/FX

Netflix

'Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker '

Netflix

Netflix

Prime Video

ABC/Matt Sayles

Prime Video

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'When They See Us'
Netflix
In 1989, five teens from Harlem were falsely accused of a brutal attack in Central Park. The quintet, labeled the Central Park Five, maintained their innocence and spent years fighting the convictions, hoping to be exonerated. Based on the true story, this moving limited series was created, co-written, and directed by Ava DuVernay.

Where to stream: Netflix
'Atlanta'
CR: Matthias Clamer/FX
Two cousins work through the Atlanta music scene to better their lives and the lives of their families. Earn Marks (Donald Glover) is a young manager trying to get his cousin's career off the ground. Alfred Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) is a rapper who goes by the stage name "Paper Boi," a hot new artist trying to understand the line between real life and street life.

Where to stream: Disney+
'Seven Seconds'
Netflix
The death of a 15-year-old African American boy in Jersey City sets off a police cover-up and a search for the truth.

Where to stream: Netflix
'Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker '
Netflix
An African-American washerwoman (Octavia Spencer) rises from poverty to build a beauty empire and become the first female self-made millionaire. Based on a true story.

Where to stream: Netflix
'Dear White People'
Netflix
Based on the film of the same name, this series follows a group of students of colour at Winchester University, a predominantly white Ivy League college. The students are faced with a landscape of cultural bias, social injustice, misguided activism and politics. The series uses irony, self-deprecation, brutal honesty and humour to highlight issues that still plague today's"post-racial" society.

Where to stream: Netflix
'Black-ish'

A family man Andre "Dre" (Anthony Anderson) and his wife Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) struggle to gain a sense of cultural identity while raising their kids in a predominantly white, upper-middle-class neighbourhood.

Where to stream: Disney+
'Small Axe'
Prime Video
Created and directed by Steve McQueen, this anthology film series captures the experiences of London's West Indian community between 1969 and 1982.

Where to stream: Prime Video
'Abbott Elementary'
ABC/Matt Sayles
In this workplace comedy from creator/star Quinta Brunson, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where they are determined to help their students succeed in life.

Where to stream: Disney+
'Harlem'
Prime Video
Four ambitious thirty-something best friends —Camille, Tye, Quinn and Angie — navigate relationships and careers in New York City.

Where to stream: Prime Video
'Colin In Black And White'
Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2021
This drama series from Colin Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay explores the former NFL player's high-school years navigating race, class and culture and the experiences that led him to become an activist.

Where to stream: Netflix
'Bill Russell: Legend'

The remarkable life and legacy of an NBA superstar and civil rights icon is captured in this documentary. This two-part film also features the last interview with Bill prior to his passing in 2022 as well as access to his sprawling personal archives.

Where to stream: Netflix
'African Queens: Njinga'
Cr. Joe Alblas/Netflix © 2023
From executive producer Jada Pinkett Smith, this documentary series explores the lives of prominent and iconic African Queens. The first season follows Njinga, the fearless 17th-century warrior queen of Ndongo and Matamba, in modern day Angola. The nation’s first female ruler, Njinga earned a reputation for her blend of political and diplomatic skill with military prowess and became an icon of resistance.

Where to stream: Netflix

The Best Black TV Shows To Stream Right Now

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