About the Project

ROBW: Reality of Black Women – Image, Influence & Intersectionality in the Digital Age is a multimedia graduate project that interrogates how Black women are simultaneously celebrated, commodified, and caricatured within the reality television genre—particularly within Bravo’s Real Housewives franchises.

Using case studies of Nene Leakes, Kenya Moore, Kandi Burruss, Dr. Wendy Osefo, and Candiace Dillard-Bassett, this project bridges critical race theory, Black feminist thought, media ethics, and marketing strategy to explore how networks profit from and perpetuate longstanding stereotypes of Black women.

But ROBW is not just about critique—it’s about accountability. Through scholarly research and digital storytelling, the project calls on media institutions, fans, and marketers to reimagine ethical representation and elevate multidimensional portrayals of Black women in entertainment.

Key questions explored:

  • How do historical stereotypes like the Mammy, Jezebel, and Sapphire evolve in modern media?

  • What is the psychological and professional cost of being Black and visible on reality TV?

  • How can ethical marketing reshape public perception while supporting authentic narratives?

About the Author

My name is Talani S—a communications strategist, digital storyteller, and passionate advocate for media equity. I am currently completing my Master’s in Lifespan and Digital Communication at Old Dominion University.

I was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. I bring both lived experience and scholarly expertise to my work. I’ve built my career in marketing and communications with almost a decade of professional experience in digital marketing, audience engagement, and brand storytelling. I understand both the boardroom and the backchannel—and how both shape what we see on screen.

My passion for reality television was born at the intersection of joy and critique. Shows like The Real Housewives of Atlanta and The Real Housewives of Potomac gave me language, style, and strategy—but also made me question how Black women are used to drive narratives that sell conflict but ignore context. This project is both a labor of love and a cultural intervention.

Whether I’m analyzing audience behavior, designing a campaign, or writing cultural critique, my mission remains the same: to protect and elevate the stories of Black women.