Black Families Shown Thriving in Suburban Settings

The representation of Black families in suburban environments has evolved significantly throughout television and film history, moving from rare occurrences to a foundational element of many popular narratives. These stories often highlight professional success, homeownership, and the complexities of navigating predominantly white or affluent spaces while maintaining cultural identity. By focusing on domestic life in residential neighborhoods, these productions provide a lens into the diversity of the Black middle and upper classes. The following list identifies various movies and television shows that showcase Black families thriving in suburban settings.

‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ (1990–1996)

Will Smith is sent from Philadelphia to live with his wealthy relatives in a mansion in the gated community of Bel-Air. Uncle Phil is a successful judge and Aunt Vivian is a professor, providing a stable and affluent environment for their children. The show explores the clash between Will’s street-smart background and the upper-class suburban lifestyle of the Banks family. It successfully highlights the diversity within the Black experience through a lens of luxury and professional achievement. The series remains a cultural touchstone for its portrayal of a high-achieving Black household.

‘Black-ish’ (2014–2022)

Dre and Rainbow Johnson live in an affluent suburban neighborhood in Southern California with their five children. Dre is a high-level advertising executive and Rainbow is an anesthesiologist, representing a modern, high-achieving professional couple. The series focuses on Dre’s desire to maintain his cultural identity while raising his family in a predominantly white suburban environment. It uses the domestic setting to address complex social and racial issues through a comedic perspective. The Johnson family home serves as the primary backdrop for their thriving, multi-generational life.

‘Family Matters’ (1989–1998)

The Winslow family resides in a middle-class suburb of Chicago where Carl serves as a police officer and Harriette works in corporate management. The household includes their children, Carl’s mother, and eventually their eccentric neighbor, Steve Urkel. The series depicts a stable, loving environment where characters tackle personal and societal challenges within their residential community. It became a staple of 1990s television for its wholesome portrayal of family values and suburban stability. The show emphasizes the strength of a close-knit family living in a traditional neighborhood.

‘My Wife and Kids’ (2001–2005)

Michael Kyle is a successful entrepreneur who runs a trucking business while living in a large suburban home in Connecticut. He and his wife Jay manage the daily dynamics of raising three children with a parenting style centered on humor and discipline. The show emphasizes Michael’s desire for a traditional family dynamic despite the modern challenges his children encounter. It remains a popular example of a Black family thriving in a comfortable, upper-middle-class residential setting. The Kyles are shown enjoying the fruits of their professional labor through their spacious home and lifestyle.

‘The Bernie Mac Show’ (2001–2006)

Bernie Mac portrays a fictionalized version of himself who takes in his sister’s three children in a quiet Los Angeles suburb. Alongside his wife Wanda, a high-level executive at a major advertising firm, Bernie navigates the complexities of sudden parenthood. The family lives in a large, well-appointed home and enjoys the benefits of significant professional success. The narrative often focuses on Bernie’s comedic struggles to instill discipline while providing a prosperous life for the kids in a suburban environment. It highlights the transition from a celebrity lifestyle to a domestic, suburban routine.

‘Bel-Air’ (2022–present)

This dramatic reimagining of the classic sitcom follows Will Smith’s journey from West Philadelphia to the elite gated community of Bel-Air. The Banks family is depicted as a modern power couple with Philip running for high political office and Vivian excelling in the arts. Their lifestyle is defined by immense wealth, political influence, and a sprawling suburban estate. The series explores how the family maintains their status while dealing with internal tensions and external societal pressures. It provides a contemporary look at Black excellence within the highest echelons of suburban society.

‘Our Kind of People’ (2021–2022)

Set in the affluent community of Oak Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard, the series follows a single mother who moves her family to this historic Black enclave. The neighborhood is home to some of the wealthiest and most powerful Black families in the country. The story highlights the complex social hierarchies and high-stakes business ventures of the elite residents who live there. It showcases a thriving suburban-style resort community where Black success is both the standard and the expectation. The show emphasizes the legacy and tradition of affluent Black families in specific residential areas.

‘The Neighborhood’ (2018–present)

Dave and Gemma Johnson move from the Midwest into a predominantly Black neighborhood in Pasadena, California. They live next door to Calvin and Tina Butler, who have resided in the area for decades and are cornerstones of their suburban block. The series explores the cultural exchange and burgeoning friendship between the two families in a stable residential setting. It depicts a community where homeownership and local business success are central themes for the resident families. The Butlers represent a thriving family that has built a life of comfort and influence within their neighborhood.

‘All American’ (2018–present)

While the show begins with Spencer James in South Los Angeles, it primarily takes place in the affluent suburb of Beverly Hills. Spencer moves in with the Baker family, where Billy is a high school football coach and Laura is a successful attorney. The Bakers live in a luxurious home and provide a backdrop of suburban prosperity for the show’s dramatic arcs. The series emphasizes the opportunities and high-pressure challenges found within such a high-status environment. It portrays a family that is deeply integrated into the elite suburban fabric of Southern California.

‘Run’s House’ (2005–2009)

This reality series documents the lives of Joseph Simmons, also known as Rev Run, and his family in their Saddle River, New Jersey, mansion. The Simmons family is shown living a life of luxury while maintaining strong moral and religious values. Rev Run often shares wisdom from his home, reflecting on his career as a hip-hop pioneer and his role as a father. The show highlights a thriving Black family managing their public personas while living in an elite suburban setting. It focuses on the balance between professional legacy and domestic stability.

‘This Is Us’ (2016–2022)

Randall Pearson, a high-achieving corporate professional, lives in an upscale suburb in New Jersey with his wife Beth and their daughters. Beth is a successful dance professional, and together they maintain a household defined by emotional intelligence and material comfort. Their suburban life is a central part of Randall’s identity as he seeks to build a stable foundation for his family. The series portrays their home as a sanctuary for growth, reconciliation, and professional success. It emphasizes the strength of their partnership within a prosperous residential context.

‘The Boondocks’ (2005–2014)

This animated series follows brothers Huey and Riley Freeman as they move from Chicago to the peaceful suburb of Woodcrest. They live with their grandfather, Robert Freeman, who seeks a quiet life away from the city’s chaos in his large suburban home. Woodcrest is depicted as an affluent, orderly neighborhood that often contrasts with the boys’ urban upbringing. The show uses the suburban setting to satirize various aspects of American culture and race relations. It presents a family that has achieved the financial stability necessary to reside in an elite environment.

‘Guess Who’ (2005)

In this film, Percy and Marilyn Jones host their daughter and her boyfriend at their elegant suburban home in New Jersey. Percy is a successful banker who is protective of his family and proud of the life he has built through his career. The story revolves around the tension that arises during a weekend gathering meant to celebrate a vow renewal. It showcases a high-achieving family thriving in a beautiful, residential environment that reflects their social standing. The setting emphasizes the professional and personal success Percy has attained for his family.

‘Are We There Yet?’ (2010–2013)

The television adaptation of the film series follows Nick Persons and Suzanne Kingston as they blend their families in a suburban Connecticut home. Nick navigates the challenges of being a new stepfather while Suzanne manages her career and household responsibilities. The family lives in a spacious house and participates in various local community and school activities. The series focuses on the daily dynamics of a modern Black family establishing roots and thriving in the suburbs. It portrays the successful integration of a blended family within a residential neighborhood.

‘Mixed-ish’ (2019–2021)

A prequel to ‘Black-ish’, this series follows a young Rainbow Johnson as her family moves from a commune to a suburban neighborhood in the 1980s. Her parents, Paul and Alicia, strive to provide a stable life for their children while Alicia practices law at a corporate firm. The family navigates the transition to a conventional suburban lifestyle and the specific social expectations of the era. It illustrates the challenges and triumphs of a family finding success in a new, more traditional environment. The show highlights the early professional steps taken to build a thriving suburban life.

‘The Wonder Years’ (2021–2023)

This reboot is set in the late 1960s and focuses on the Williams family in Montgomery, Alabama. Dean Williams navigates his middle-school years while his father, Bill, is a professor and musician, and his mother, Lillian, works in accounting. They live in a stable, middle-class Black neighborhood that offers a strong sense of community and security. The show highlights the family’s resilience and prosperity during a transformative era in American history. It depicts a thriving domestic life within a residential setting during the Civil Rights movement.

‘Reed Between the Lines’ (2011)

Dr. Carla Reed is a successful psychologist and her husband, Alex, is a professor at a local college in suburban Atlanta. They raise their three children in a home filled with support and intellectual stimulation. The series focuses on their ability to balance high-pressure careers with a healthy and loving domestic life. It presents a professional Black couple thriving in a contemporary residential setting while prioritizing their family’s well-being. The show emphasizes the importance of communication and education within a prosperous household.

‘The Hughleys’ (1998–2002)

Darryl Hughley moves his family and his successful vending machine business from the city to the predominantly white suburbs of West Hills. He and his wife Yvonne adjust to their new environment while raising two children in a large suburban house. The show explores Darryl’s concerns about losing his cultural identity in a more affluent, residential area. However, it ultimately depicts the family finding success, stability, and belonging in their new community. The series highlights the transition into suburban life for a self-made business owner.

‘Almost Christmas’ (2016)

The Meyer family gathers for the holidays at the patriarch’s home in a quiet suburb of Birmingham, Alabama. Walter, a retired automotive worker, hosts his four adult children who have all achieved various levels of professional success in their respective fields. The film showcases a large, comfortable family estate that serves as the backdrop for their multi-generational reunion. It emphasizes the legacy of hard work and the stability of a thriving family that values its suburban roots. The home represents the culmination of Walter’s lifelong efforts to provide for his children.

‘Instant Mom’ (2013–2015)

Stephanie Phillips becomes an instant stepmother to three children after marrying Charlie, a man who lives in a comfortable suburban home. Stephanie balances her active social life with her new domestic responsibilities while Charlie provides a stable and successful environment for the family. The characters navigate the humorous challenges of modern parenting within a residential neighborhood. It highlights a thriving, blended family managing the complexities of suburban life and career goals. The show focuses on the development of a strong family unit in an affluent setting.

Tell us which of these suburban families is your favorite to watch in the comments.