Since the glamour of black and white TV, fashion on-screen has always been a major visual element for viewers, sometimes with audiences tuning in just to see the clothes. Whether you love the fashion, the characters, or both, you are not alone. Not wanting to spoil the entire list for anyone, here are a few of the most fashionable black women to ever grace the small screen — and a few non-brown honorable mentions.

Though it is a bit embarrassing to admit now, my going natural was a very vain venture in the beginning. All I wanted was a bouncy, juicy ‘fro like Tracee Ellis Ross.

That was it.

That was my sole reason and goal. So I transitioned for about two and a half years with a series of semi-big chops, weaves, hundreds of dollars worth of product-junkism and perhaps a gold mine worth of psychotherapy behind seeking a head full of someone else’s hair with no luck in that direction.

What I didn’t fully understand until the past few months is that I educated myself immensely in the way of health and fitness and just total body care all while seeking that infamous “Joan Clayton ‘fro.”

I was beginning to love my hair and take my health more seriously in a way I had never given a second thought to, being that my metabolism has always been so high that at my heaviest I was 120 lbs. and at my smallest (yes, even in my adult life) I am 105 lbs. I was researching clean-eating regimens and which foods battle cancer the best. I was keeping journals of my goals both heath-related and faith-related. I was taking a more active approach to my holistic health than I ever deemed necessary before.

And it felt good. I felt good. I was no longer only concerned with the best ways to turn thin hair into thick luxurious locks. Or how to best attain length. My focus was shifting toward the overall HEALTH of my hair and body and mind. I started to accept that I inherently have thinner hair and embraced that fact, choosing styles that best accentuate what I love about myself. I embraced the fact that I am thin and began to work toward maintain healthy weight and eating habits.

I looked up one day and realized that from wanting Joan Clayton hair I was now a more socially conscious young woman, reading the labels of my hair products to make sure they were “Cruelty Free.” It’s even to the point that I take the time to research the different superstores where I purchase my hair and body products to ensure their employment practices are suitable. I recently decided to stop patronizing one superstore in particular when I found that they do no support unions for their employees.

I sat down one day and looked at all I had become, just from one vain moment of wanting to be like someone else and gave a laugh of joyful amazement. I loved who I was becoming. I LOVED her. It wasn’t just about a pretty ‘fro anymore – although once I stopped obsessing over it, my ‘fro decided to be the flyest chick in the game. No offense, Tracee, you’ll always be my inspiration!

This natural hair movement (and it IS a movement) morphed from the silliest of vanities to the most revelatory all-encompassing experiences of my life. And the deeper I choose to go, the more I’m consequently choosing to grow.

My hope for all who are embarking on the natural journey is that you find the same peace, sense of self, consciousness and zest for life that I found.

La Truly’s writing is powered by a lifetime of anecdotal proof that awkward can transform to awesome and fear can cast its crown before courage. La seeks to encourage thought, discussion and change among young women through her writing. Check her out on Twitter: @AshleyLaTruly and AboutMe www.about.me/latruly.

Source: xfinitytv.comcast.net

By Marquita Green

It’s 2012 and you would think there would be a somewhat accurate, better depiction or realistic TV show for the African American woman today. Sadly, there is not. Instead, I see more stereotypes than ever.  The lack of consideration and understanding of the woman of color today is very obvious. Black women are constantly bombarded with ads for television shows giving platforms to women who are relevant because of whom they have slept with, who they married, who they divorced and got paid by, had kids by, what videos they were in or trying to launch a music career for the 20th time. Sorry BET, VH1, Bravo and everyone else. We as black women are saying we cannot relate to that. We are asking and petitioning for you to stop falling on these stereotypes and saying it speaks to “black women.”

The only show in  which black women could call their own and completely relate to was “Girlfriends.”  Yes, it was a breath of fresh air. It did not go over the top. At the same time it did not degrade and stereotype. They addressed real issues that the woman of color faces in her professional life, love life, personal life and identity issues. They even (take note Gwyneth Paltrow) addressed the use of the “N” word flawlessly. This show is and was highly underrated. So point blank… we need it back.  I understand that many of these ladies have moved on in their careers. However, I think given a network like VH1 with high profile advertisers, there are some networks out there who can afford to get these women back.  I love Mara Brok Akil as a writer/creator on this show. Each character represented something very unique and significant and they were all relatable. Here’s why: