15 Black Families on Television That Changed the Game

Black families on television were a mainstay starting in the mid-70s. And what these families did was give primetime TV a shade of eclecticism. Some shows aimed to grab a certain niche audience, others wanted everyone’s eyes and attention. There have been a plethora of these Black families on TV since, and many of them were special in their own way. From the classics like The Cosby Show and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air to Disney Channel shows like That’s So Raven and The Proud Family, seeing these groups of people just living life on TV had a lasting impact on audiences, especially Black viewers. 

These shows displayed the humanity of Black people and Black families and showed them in a positive and real light that is always necessary for TV fans to see. So what if the days of tuning in to The Bernie Mac Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, or The Cosby Show are long gone? We can reminisce about them right here and right now, or you can take your happy ass to Netflix, or other streaming services, and catch a few of your favorites at your own pace. Regardless of how old you were when these shows dropped, the influence these shows and their characters had on our culture will always bring us a sense of nostalgia and belonging.

Here are 15 Black Families on Television That Changed the Game.