Sunny days, sandy beaches, shorts, tank tops, summer dresses, and flip flops are what many of us millennials live for. Summer is here and there is a need for a “turn-up”, and the time to relax and rejuvenate is upon us. Vacations, day party-hopping, road trips, and time with family and friends bring complete happiness. For some, relaxation means television shows as it takes us on a journey, and provides us with a great way to escape. So here are a few television series that Millennials must see this summer.
Queen Sugar tells the story of Bordelon siblings in Louisiana. Nova, Charlie and Ralph are forced to come together after the sudden passing of their father. Ralph fights to prove himself as a black man and father in society after he is released from prison and dealing with the aftermath of his decisions during a time when black men are being killed daily and treated like animals. Charlie marries an NBA star and lives a lavish life in California, and often viewed as “unwanted leader” and sibling who don’t have time for her family. She moves to Louisiana and takes over her father’s sugarcane business. Nova is an herbal healer, activist, and journalist who often challenges Charlie and stands her ground no matter what. Through their differences and internal conflicts, this contemporary black family depicts the real and raw challenges, and resilience that all blacks relate to.
At a time when millennials are fighting for justice in the Black Lives Matters movement and taking over the world as entrepreneurs, Queen Sugar reminds us of the daily struggles of Blacks in America and how they unite, set their differences aside to grow the family business, and build their relationships with one another. Because in the end, no matter what life throws, they all desire to feel loved, needed, and a part of a community. Queen Sugar returned for a second season with a two-day premiere on June 20 and June 21 at 10 p.m. ET, and premieres every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on OWN.
Being Mary Jane takes us into the life of the independent and successful black woman Mary Jane Paul. Beyond the lights, camera, designer clothes, fancy house, car and beautiful smile, she is desperate to find love and realizes that she has to work on herself first. Between juggling her personal life and career in New York City, and dealing with the pressure of holding her family together.
Like many young women, Mary James is chasing success and often in fear of being alone without the family she desires. She has a hard time differentiating a friend from a foe, finds loves with Lee and sees a potential future with him yet her relationship with her co-worker Justin could end it all.Being Mary Jane returned for its midseason premiere July 18 at 10 p.m. ET and every Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET on BET.
The black women experience is anything but simple which is depicted in Insecure. This comedy series reveals the relationship between two black women Issa and Molly who are the complete opposite of the powerful and confident black woman. Unfortunately, millennials feel the pressure to figure their entire life in their twenties. We desire to have the popping career, travel the world, pay off student debt, fall in love and for some, start a family. For some of the similar reasons, Issa is in a rush to figure out her life and career at the age of 29, and actually, believes she has to figure it out before she turns 30.
On the other hand, Molly is a corporate lawyer on top of her game within her career but for some reason can’t quite figure out her romantic life. Through laughter and fictional characters, many career-driven black women can relate to the characters as it is their daily struggle because ultimately, we all have #GOALS; career goals, financial goals, bae goals, travel goals, health goals, etc. Insecure has been a hot commodity since it premiered first season and guess what? It premiered for a second season July 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET. Catch Insecure every week on Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET on HBO.
So whether you are chilling on the beach with family, having a movie night with bae, in hiding for some “me time”, or enjoying a night with the friends, don’t forget to follow the lives of your favorite characters this summer. This summer is lite in the world of scripted programming for the young, vibrant and ambitious black girl millennial.
