In the midst of “Get Ready with Me” and “DITL” videos (which we love), narrative web series have carved out a lane of their own, offering a refreshing approach to short form content. Among rapidly evolving digital platforms, TikTok has emerged as a powerhouse for creativity where individuals can showcase their talent/imaginative vision, share their stories, and connect with others in ways that were previously unimaginable.
And who is at the forefront of this innovative form of storytelling? Black women.
We’ve seen the rise of trailblazers like Issa Rae and Quinta Brunson play a pivotal role in reshaping the landscape of Black media and film, starting out with their groundbreaking internet presence. By fearlessly telling their own stories and creating platforms that amplify underrepresented voices, both have challenged the status quo, and sparked a movement towards more inclusive and authentic representation.
Alisha Johnson, a creator on the rise, decided in the early stages of developing her first web series called ‘Shit Black Girls Think’ (SBGT) that she would leverage TikTok’s content format to showcase her weekly episodes. “When the idea of making a web series first came to mind, I had no idea where to start and I honestly couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What would Quinta or Issa do if they were in my shoes, just starting out in their filmmaking career? It became clear to me that they would likely turn to a platform that’s accessible and make the most of their resources. And for me, that was TikTok and my iPhone”, Johnson says.
SBGT invites you to “join the group chat” as we follow 3 best friends Naomi, Willow, and Alexis, as they navigate the complexities of life — from career chaos, to friendship fumbles, and the ever-present societal side-eye. This short form series captivates with episodes under 5 minutes and delivers accessible, digestible, and authentic experiences.
The first episode of ‘Sh!t Black Girls Think’ opens with a gripping scene as Naomi, one of the main characters, texts the group chat distressed about a month+ apartment search in Atlanta. Her message, ‘Can someone please remind me that moving to Atlanta was actually a good idea?’. This sets the tone for the episode, immediately inviting viewers into Naomi’s world and the challenges she’s currently facing in her new environment. Just like many other twenty-something black girls encountering new experiences, cities, relationships, we can see ourselves in Naomi as her story begins to unfold.
In the next scene, we meet Willow, the passionate artist. We drop in as she makes coffee in her cozy apartment before getting back to the latest painting she’s been working on. Finally, we meet Alexis, the corporate baddie of the group. She’s starting her day attempting to give herself a bit of TLC, doing her skincare when she’s suddenly interrupted by the ever so dreaded slack message. Vibes immediately ruined.
“When it came to the opening scenes, I was excited to introduce the distinct personalities and circumstances of each character, ” Johnson says. My hope was that as viewers were scrolling through their FYP, expecting the usual then suddenly getting pleasantly surprised with a narrative that hooks them into a story.”
Unlike traditional narratives, where characters’ thoughts are often left to interpretation or revealed through dialogue, SBGT offers a candid portrayal of the characters’ inner worlds. One of those moments is when Naomi finds herself apartment hunting and is captivated with modern furniture and elegant decor. However, that excitement is swiftly overshadowed by a wave of concern, as she realizes the apartment is way out of her budget. Her lack of renting experience, and her inability to secure a cosigner inevitably cast a shadow over her hopes of securing her dream apartment.
Naomi’s moment is abruptly interrupted by the leasing officer’s attempt to sell the apartment’s “perfect location,” insinuating that the area needed some major cleaning up. Caught off guard by the subtle endorsement of gentrification, Naomi breaks the fourth wall, turning to the camera with a mixture of disbelief and sarcasm, questioning, “Did this B** just romanticize gentrification?”
When it comes to bite-sized narrative storytelling, “Sh!t Black Girls Think” isn’t the only one of its kind. In fact, there are a few other series on TT created by and for Black women. Kandace Banks, the creator of the short-form web series “Thanks Kandace Banks,” as well as Aaliyah Weston, the creator of “Face It,” also boldly embraces the idea that compelling and meaningful storytelling, can thrive even within the briefest of formats.
As Aaliyah aptly puts it, “I wanted to play on the fact that the digital world has literally taken over.” She adds, “People are always on their phones, and TikTok felt like the easiest way to tap into that.”
Aaliyah’s creative process offers a fascinating glimpse into the artistry behind the narrative web series on TikTok. By drawing inspiration from her own emotions and experiences, she breathes life into her stories, and crafts narratives that resonate with authenticity and relatability. She explains, “I’ve tried to take things that I’ve not seen but felt, and recreate them. So, if I felt angry about something. I think, why was I angry? Let’s recreate that idea as if this was something completely flipped. I honestly take these ideas and just make an imaginary world of all of them. ‘Face It’ was a complete example of that, because I’ve never been to college like the main characters, but I have experienced liking a boy and then my best friend dating him. I’ve experienced that feeling so I wanted to recreate that.“
Kandace Banks reflects on her creative process, saying, “When I would have these experiences working in the Fashion industry while living in New York, I would journal through emails riding the train home — I like to send myself emails, personally. It’s digital, it’s timestamped, and it’s password protected. Rather than writing in a notebook. I had this chain of emails called my thoughts and my signature was Thanks – Kandace Banks. I knew one day I wanted to share these experiences I was having.
This authentic storytelling approach bore fruit when Kandace’s first episode quickly gained traction on TikTok, spreading organically through shares, likes, and comments. The viral success of her episode unveiling her experience being blackballed in the fashion industry served as a testament to the power of authenticity and genuine storytelling in capturing the hearts and minds of audiences.
By embracing authenticity, representation, and community engagement, SBGT has impacted entertainment by sparking important conversations. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, this pioneering web series serves as an inspiration for creators to push boundaries, challenge norms, and amplify diverse voices in the world of short-form content.
It is one thing to provide riveting stories, but to do it in a way that’s compelling, and within the time constraints of a platform such a Tiktok is worth praise. Black women are once again providing a space for others who look like or are experiencing the same as them to see themselves on screen – only this time in a different medium. Make sure you check out Sh!t Black Girls Think anytime you need a bitesized dose of REAL content for black girls, by black girls.
Love it!!