Discover How Black Women Have Shaped Home and Lifestyle Trends: Unveiling the Blueprint | Essence

Earlier this year, Meghan Markle’s Netflix series With Love, Meghan was previewed to much excitement. The trailer revealed glimpses of her life in Montecito, California, years after she and Prince Harry stepped away from royal duties. Viewers saw Markle cooking delicious meals, gardening, harvesting honey, and entertaining celebrity friends. She aims to redefine what a lifestyle show can be, blending her roles as both producer and host.

However, the excitement was quickly met with skepticism. Hours after the trailer’s release, a review by Eater labeled the series as “incredibly dull,” questioning what Markle could offer that famous chefs like Martha Stewart hadn’t already. This critique sparked a wave of responses, particularly from Black women who recognized deeper issues beneath the review’s surface.

The criticism highlighted a common problem for powerful Black women: the unfair scrutiny they often face. Reviewers sometimes set unreasonably high standards that aren’t applied to their white counterparts. This scrutiny can overshadow genuine talent and contributions, especially when it comes to lifestyle and culinary spaces historically dominated by others.

As a journalist, I understand the desire to publish bold opinions. Still, as a Black woman, I see how this often translates to different treatment. Markle’s situation reflects a broader media trend that frequently sidelines Black women’s achievements in home and lifestyle areas, despite their significant contributions to these fields.

Historically, Black women have played crucial roles in shaping America’s domestic life. From the colonial era through the trans-Atlantic slave trade, many were responsible for cooking and maintaining households, yet they were rarely recognized for these contributions. Researchers like Robin Caldwell have discussed this legacy, pointing out that the culinary traditions and home styles we celebrate today often originated from the hard work of Black women.

In the post-Emancipation period, Black women leveraged newfound opportunities. Education through HBCUs and vocational schools allowed them to enter entrepreneurial ventures. Figures like Abby Fisher and Malinda Russell were among the first Black women to publish cookbooks, paving the way for future generations. By the mid-20th century, chefs like Lena Richard and Freda DeKnight were advancing Black culinary traditions and gaining recognition in the media.

B. Smith emerged in the 1990s as a leading lifestyle guru, blending her talents as a chef, author, and television host. She often highlighted the unique perspective of Black women in domestic spaces, remarking that her cultural heritage shaped her work in ways her white counterparts might not grasp. Women like Oprah Winfrey and Carla Hall continue this legacy, influencing today’s lifestyle scene.

Carla Hall gained fame through her appearances on Bravo’s Top Chef and later as a co-host on The Chew. She champions cultural representation, ensuring that diverse voices are included in culinary conversations. Her recent launch of the digital magazine Sweet Heritage furthers her mission of authenticity and self-determination in the lifestyle space.

Young entrepreneurs like Akilah Releford Gould are also making their mark. At just 28, she manages multiple ventures in California, including skincare and a winery. Gould is inspired by Black women’s resilience and aims to promote their culture through her hosting and entertaining. She and others are using platforms like TikTok to connect and inspire wider audiences while striving for representation that reflects their experiences.

These women are not just participants in the lifestyle industry—they are redefining it. They challenge existing norms and create spaces where Black women can thrive without needing approval from others. As Caldwell suggests, the narrative of Black women in home and lifestyle is one of reclamation, not erasure. “We don’t need their approval any longer,” she states. “In the annals of history will be the truth.”

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