Soul Food turns 20: The Black TV pioneer paved the way for Empire, Greenleaf, Power and other Black dramas

Los Angeles Times

"The Showtime drama, about a multi-generational family whose members made it a point to always come together for Sunday dinner no matter how deep their differences, was a trailblazer, bursting into prime time during an era when dramas about Black people were a rarity. Even with a cast that was mostly unknown at the time, the series was a success, running for five seasons and demonstrating that viewers would tune into a drama centered on a Black family," says Greg Braxton. Soul Food, based on George Tillman Jr.'s 1997 semi-autobiographical film of the same name, premiered on June 28, 2000, airing for five seasons through 2004. “It was such an uphill battle at the time," says Soul Food creator Felicia D. Henderson. The feeling among executives in TV was that people were not interested in Black-themed dramas. There had been other dramas with Black people, but they only lasted a season.” Station 19 star Boris Kodjoe says Soul Food was a professional and personal milestone for him since he ended up marrying co-star Nicole Ari Parker after meeting on set. “The show really opened doors to a more diverse representation of Black people, and people in general,” says Kodjoe. “It showed real courage in going into uncharted territories, and it empowered voices like Shonda Rhimes and Kenya Barris and all the others who came after Soul Food."