Contributed by Lauren Taylor
Tracy Oliver, also known as the first Black woman to write a film that grossed over $100 million, is at it yet again. Written, directed, and produced by Oliver, the new Amazon series Harlem charms its audience.
The show follows four women in the big city balancing work, love, and life in their 30-something’s. Meagan Good stars as Camille, an adjunct anthropology professor, Jerrie Johnson, as Tye the tech-wiz who’s developing a queer dating app, Grace Byers playing Quinn a trust-fund fashion designer, and Shoniqua Shandai as Angie a sex-positive singer and actress.
Good, 40, praised the diversity and relatability of the characters, “They’re just not monolithic…you see yourself in every one of these characters,” as reported by Black Enterprise.
Ukonwa Ojo, the chief marketing officer at Prime Video and Amazon Studios, expresses her thoughts on the show. “In bringing this show to life through our marketing we thought, ‘What could be better than honoring many of the inspirational women entrepreneurs who built their businesses in Harlem, or are closely connected to the community?’ That’s how this exciting activation, featuring some amazing entrepreneurs and artists, as well as activities and conversations, came to be. And just like in the show, it’s not just all about business! We wanted to create a space that celebrates the heritage of the community and that lets residents, as well as those just a subway ride away, immerse themselves in a bit of culture and fun.”
The 10 episode season of Harlem now streaming on Amazon Prime.