From Margins to Mainstream: Black Women’s Influence in Canadian Entertainment

Picture this: Toronto, 1997. A young Deborah Cox belts out “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” on MuchMusic. Fast forward to 2024, and Black women are dominating Canadian entertainment like never before. Let’s dive into this thrilling transformation

Back in the day, Black women in Canadian showbiz were as rare as snow in July. Take Jackie Shane, an R&B pioneer in 1960s Toronto. She wowed audiences but never got her full due. Fast forward to 1989, and Michaëlle Jean becomes the first Black news anchor on French-language TV in Quebec. Baby steps, but crucial ones.

A report by On Screen TV & Film showed that of the 43% of women in key creative TV roles in 2019, 6.44% were Black women. Progress? You bet.

Let’s break down how Black women are revolutionizing Canadian entertainment:

1. Small Screen Queens

Remember when Black women were lucky to get bit parts? Not anymore. Vinessa Antoine made history in 2018 as the lead in CBC’s “Diggstown,” the first Black woman to headline a primetime drama in Canada. 

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Then there’s Oluniké Adeliyi, bringing 1920s Montreal to life in CBC’s “The Porter.” Her portrayal of Marlene Massey isn’t just acting; it’s a history lesson in Black Canadian resilience.

2. Behind-the-Scenes Bosses

Black women are calling “Action!” from the director’s chair. Take Stella Meghie. This Oshawa-born filmmaker directed Justin Bieber’s “Ghost” music video and episodes of Issa Rae’s “Insecure.” In 2020, her film “The Photograph” grossed over $20 million worldwide. That’s Canadian talent going global, baby.

3. Music Mavens

Jessie Reyez isn’t just making noise; she’s making history. This Toronto native snagged the Juno Award for Breakthrough Artist in 2018 and hasn’t looked back. 

Her 2020 album “Before Love Came to Kill Us” hit #1 on the US Billboard R&B chart. And let’s not forget Haviah Mighty, the first Black woman to win the Polaris Music Prize in 2019 with “13th Floor.”

4. Comedy Queens

Zabrina Chevannes is bringing Jamaican-Canadian flavor to stand-up. She performed at JFL42 and headlined Yuk Yuk’s. Her 2022 comedy special “Zabrina Chevannes: Laugh Now, Cry Later” on CraveTV had audiences in stitches.

5. Lit Ladies

Esi Edugyan isn’t just writing books; she’s making history. Her novel “Washington Black” won the Scotiabank Giller Prize in 2018, making her the first Black woman to win it twice. It sold over 150,000 copies in Canada alone and is being adapted for TV by Hulu.

6. Digital Divas

Lilly Singh isn’t just a YouTuber; she’s a mogul. Her channel has over 14 million subscribers. In 2019, she became the first person of Indian descent to host an American late-night talk show on NBC. Talk about Canadian talent taking over!

Conclusion: Black Women’s Influence in Canadian Entertainment

Organizations like the Black Screen Office launched a $750,000 fund for Black Canadian creators. That’s putting money where the talent is.

From Karena Evans directing Drake’s music videos to Kayla Grey becoming the first Black woman to host a flagship sports highlight show on TSN, Black women are rewriting the script of Canadian entertainment.

So, next time you’re streaming a Canadian show, grooving to a new track, or cracking open a bestseller, look for the Black women making magic. They’re not just part of Canadian entertainment; they’re the future of it. And trust me, that future is looking bright, bold, and beautifully Black.

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