What happens when you put a tech tycoon, a luxury boutique owner, an anthropology professor, and an aspiring actress together at a trendy soul food brunch spot on 145th Street and Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Harlem? If you were thinking of a bomb ass dynamic friend group consisting of four Black women having shady conversations, living unapologetically in their truths, and debunking societal prejudices about Black women—all while maintaining an unparalleled level of confidence—then you’re absolutely right.
Writer, Director, Producer, and Actress Tracy Oliver's Harlem on Prime follows the lives of four college best-friends Camille (Meagan Good), Tye (Jerrie Johnson), Quinn (Grace Byers), and Angie (Shoniqua Shandai) living in the heart of Harlem, which is slowly transforming and gentrifying right before them. In addition to dealing with the change of their beloved neighborhood, the ladies are managing real life circumstances such as depression, opportunities at motherhood, finding love, and even exploring their sexuality.
"Being labeled a strong Black woman is a rite of passage. She is resilient, independent and capable, but what if she isn't?" That is the question that the creator and writers of Harlem having been exploring over the course of two seasons. Black women have been conditioned to put on a front and smile; when in reality we could be suffering from depression, trying to tough it out when we're in pain, programmed to avoid those hard conversations just to appease the feelings of everyone else around else, or even evading real love to protect our spirit from the possibilities of being hurt.
On the flip side, being a Black woman is magical... we are the blueprint for all things dope, right? We are elite; flaws and all, and that is beautifully portrayed through each character. We are depicted as multifaceted, and multilayered... after all, who else can create a multimillion dollar dating app and in that same breath hang out with their girls in the club picking up dates or even having a night on the couch with a drink, snacks and watching "Weather Wives of Tampa?"
On January 23, the third and final season of Harlem will air on Prime Video. Once again, we'll go on a familiar journey with our TV girlfriends as they enter a new season and a new era of what it means to follow your heart and your dreams. Will Tye let her guard down finally being vulnerable to love? Will Camille be able to move on without Ian all while advancing in her career? Will Angie become the superstar we all know she is? Has Quinn done the work to love herself whole heartily? And most importantly... Who is pregnant??!!
Is it possible to be disheartened, yet thrilled at the same time? We brace ourselves walking in knowing this is the end... the final season; yet, this is the ultimate "Eat, Pray, Slay" adventure with ladies that are a direct reflection of ourselves or someone we know closely. When we ask for representation, shows like Harlem are what we are aiming for. We want real stories that tell who we are at every stage of life. Being heard and seen has been all that we desire and Tracy Oliver has created a show that simply just gets us.
Women for the Culture reached out to one of the leading ladies, Jerrie Johnson, and asked her what we can expect from season three and how being a part of the show impacted her. Jerrie said "This season is about moving through discomfort to transformation... for all the women. We experience all the characters at a crossroad and they have to decide if they will stay in the same cycle or choose something different. It’s exciting to watch them navigate that."
She adds, "Being on this show has changed my life in all aspects. I have gained a new group of friends including Tyler and Tracy. I have been able to play a character that is so impactful to so many communities, and I’ve got to be ushered into the industry in such a big way because of this show's impact. I am grateful for this opportunity and that I was in alignment when this came about. I am walking in my manifestation."
Are you ready for a season of transformation? A season of self discovery? A season of living life to the fullest? Harlem is a love letter to Black women; a reminder that we see each other.
How do you feel about Harlem ending and which character do you identify with the most?
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