Learning from the Creators of the Black Love Docuseries: The Importance of Representation and Taking Initiative

By: Jordan Bucknor ‘22

Just because Black History Month is over does not mean people have to stop celebrating Black history.

As a testament to that, the creators of the Black Love docuseries, Codie and Tommy Oliver, were invited to USC for a screening and discussion. In addition to having the creators visit, Hollywood stars, Michael White, Jillian White, and Jo-Ann Turnman were invited. The event was organized in collaboration between the USC School of Cinematic Arts, USC’s Black Alumni Association, and USC’s Black Student Association.

Black Love has already aired two seasons on the Oprah Winfrey Network and features couples opening up about the joys, challenges, and realities of romance in the Black community. It is the most-viewed unscripted series debut in the network’s history and features couples (outside of the ones already mentioned) such as Viola Davis and Julius Tennon, Meagan Good and DeVon Franklin, Tia Mowry and Cory Hardrict and many more.

The Importance of Representation

Codie Elaine Oliver, a graduate of USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program, cited “the media portrayal of a Black marriage crisis” as her inspiration for the docuseries. She expressed how everyday media either simply does not show positive examples of Black love or they show negative ones. Black Love was born out of this absence. Tommy and Codie Oliver both wanted to showcase positive romantic relationships of people who looked like them. In her words: “If we see it, then you can’t tell us it doesn’t exist, right? I decided at that time I wanted to create a place where Black love stories live.”

The series does not just show one type of couple either. From interracial, same gender loving, and more — it is the goal of Black Love to showcase and normalize all types of couples. Everyone deserves to be seen, so making the conscious effort to showcase underrepresented communities is extremely important. In a time where media acts as an informant for the everyday person, what is displayed on a screen holds an enormous amount of weight. It shapes what we think, which then shapes how we act, so it needs to represent what we are.

Jo-Ann Turman offered her own praise of the show saying, “It took a lot of courage to let others know that there are people of color who can be married, or have relationships that can last. There are regular people [and] they argue, they fight, they make love, but you know, they can have a healthy relationship and a long-lasting relationship.”

Taking Initiative

Black Love was not created like most network shows. The Olivers took the initiative to film their show even before pitching it, and they recommend others to take that same sort of initiative in their own lives. USC has a multitude of resources available to their students: from alumni to career planning to events just like this, and it is essential students be more proactive in using them. Tommy Oliver offered his own advice saying, “Most people are afraid to actually step up and say something or reach out. You can’t be shy. You’re not gonna get any no’s. So it’s like, if something is of interest than reach out. There are few people who actually put themselves out there, and they do great things because of it. You gotta be willing to fail in order to succeed.” Who can say it better than that?

When asked for what advice he had for students trying to get into the film industry, Tommy Oliver said plainly, “You don’t try. That’s a giant part of the issue.” Too often as college students and just as regular people, we get caught up within our own excuses. There will always be a reason for not doing something if you look for it. He warns the audience, “Either you’re going to do it or you’re not going to do it. If you leave the space [for doubts], Plan B becomes Plan A really fucking quickly.”

Instead, he recommends the same thing as Nike’s infamous logo: Just do it. “The more you do, the more you do. It starts to create momentum, and you meet other people who are doing things and then, all of a sudden, you’re doing what you want to do.” That’s not enough to get you moving? Tommy Oliver can’t say it any better than this: “Get off your ass and figure out what to do. Don’t sit idly. Don’t waste your time.”

While these words might be intimidating to some, I cannot describe how inspired I was after leaving this event. I immediately wanted to pick up the nearest camera, pencil, or instrument, and just create. I can positively vouch that I was not the only one feeling that way either. Numerous other students followed their advice of “just do it” and took the opportunity to approach the filmmakers after the event was over to ask about internships or professional advice. That is taking initiative!

To all those reading this, if you are looking for some sort of sign to pursue your goals, this is it. Apply for that job. Compose that song. Do that performance. Now is the perfect time. Just stop trying, and start doing!

A huge thanks to Louis “Kengi” Carr for providing the amazing pictures for this event!

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