5 Black T.V. Moms Who Made History

This Black History Month, let’s not forget the black T.V. moms we grew up with and the things we learned from them. Here are some of our favorites who made T.V. history.

Nikki Parker, “The Parkers” – The First Black T.V. Mom to Stalk a Man into Marrying Her

For most women, a man’s initial display of disinterest is enough to make them move on. For Nikki Parker, however, it was only an accepted challenge. Throughout this laugh-out-loud series, we watched Ms. Parker (Mo’Nique) chase the man of her dreams down on an everyday basis, yelling her famous, “Heeeeeyyy, Professor Oglevee!” catchphrase along the way, until the professor finally gave her his heart at the end of the series. While this may seem a bit weird, maybe Nikki Parker taught us that perseverance does go a long way.

Rochelle, “Everybody Hates Chris“ – The First Black Tv Mom to Actually Put Her Foot in Her Child’s A**

We all loved this black T.V. mom for her nurturing ways and her over-the-top, deeply amusing threats. If you ever hear a woman yell, “Imma put my foot in your behind!”, it is normal to assume that she is just using a strong figure of speech to firmly warn you to not do something. However, when Rochelle (Tichina Arnold) told her son, Chris that she would put her foot in his behind, she literally meant every word.

Trudy Proud, “The Proud Family” – One of the First Black T.V. Moms to Out-Earn Her Husband

Maybe it’s her charm, her intelligence or her overall attractiveness that makes Trudy Proud one of the most well-respected black T.V. moms until this day. Or, maybe it was the fact that she was bringing in the bacon, unlike her husband, Oscar, who only attempted to sell his “famous” Proud Snacks. Trudy (voiced by Paula Jai Parker) has taught black women everywhere that providing for the family that she creates is one of the most respectable and rewarding things that she may ever do.

Lisa Landry, “Sister, Sister” – The First Black T.V. Mom to Become a Surrogate Mother to Her Adopted Daughter’s Long-Lost Twin Sister

Even though she wasn’t their biological mother, Lisa (Jackée Harry) was one of the most comical, loving, fashionable mothers that any pair of adopted twins could ask for!

Janet Kyle, “My Wife and Kids” – The First Black T.V. Mom to Go to Her Daughter’s Prom and Steal the Show

This episode was really one for the books! Jay Kyle was an upstanding mother who devoted her life to her husband and her children—and maybe a little too much sometimes. Not only did Janet (Tisha Campbell) go to her daughter’s prom with her and steal the show, but she did it wearing the same dress that her daughter was wearing! Don’t believe me? See for yourself!