Imani M. Cheers is Assistant Professor in the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University, USA.

"As a resource for women and gender studies, this text will draw readers in with its accessible language and broad, patient review of mass media culture. Cheers employs Black tele-vision favorites as diverse examples of America’s lexicon and imagery for Black female sexuality. She ad vances a feminist quest to consider how Black women are a force — an evolv-ing, agential force — in their own media representations. Boldly, she centers a powerful influence radiat-ing from everyday women desiring to see themselves."- Alexandra Cunningham, RGWS: A Feminist Review

• Introduction1. Black Women Behind the Lens 2. Maternal Mammies and Mainstream Matriarchs 3. Multidimensional Mistresses 4. Black Women as a Television Audience Conclusion

Imani M. Cheers is Assistant Professor in the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University, USA.

"As a resource for women and gender studies, this text will draw readers in with its accessible language and broad, patient review of mass media culture. Cheers employs Black tele-vision favorites as diverse examples of America’s lexicon and imagery for Black female sexuality. She ad vances a feminist quest to consider how Black women are a force — an evolv-ing, agential force — in their own media representations. Boldly, she centers a powerful influence radiat-ing from everyday women desiring to see themselves."- Alexandra Cunningham, RGWS: A Feminist Review

• Introduction1. Black Women Behind the Lens 2. Maternal Mammies and Mainstream Matriarchs 3. Multidimensional Mistresses 4. Black Women as a Television Audience Conclusion

Imani M. Cheers is Assistant Professor in the School of Media and Public Affairs at The George Washington University, USA.

"As a resource for women and gender studies, this text will draw readers in with its accessible language and broad, patient review of mass media culture. Cheers employs Black tele-vision favorites as diverse examples of America’s lexicon and imagery for Black female sexuality. She ad vances a feminist quest to consider how Black women are a force — an evolv-ing, agential force — in their own media representations. Boldly, she centers a powerful influence radiat-ing from everyday women desiring to see themselves."- Alexandra Cunningham, RGWS: A Feminist Review

• Introduction1. Black Women Behind the Lens 2. Maternal Mammies and Mainstream Matriarchs 3. Multidimensional Mistresses 4. Black Women as a Television Audience Conclusion