![FOX's 'Empire' - Season Two](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/04/145461233360671.jpg?w=300&strip=all&quality=90)
Source: FOX / Getty
2016 was definitely a great year when it comes to Black women’s visibility in television!
From scripted dramas such as Empire and Queen Sugar to hilarious comedies such as Insecure and black-ish to reality shows such as RHOA, on any given night, African-American women can turn on the TV and see a range of portrayals of ourselves. But what are the shows that we just can’t miss each week?
According to a Nielsen’s “African-American Women: Our Science, Her Magic” report, these were our top 20 programs from 2016:
1. #BlackGirlMagic On The Small Screen
![African American Couple Watching a Movie at Home](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/11/14484792369386-e1448478916728.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=630&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C378px)
2016 was definitely a great year when it comes to Black women’s visibility in television!
From scripted dramas such as Empire and Queen Sugar to hilarious comedies such as Insecure and blackish to reality shows such as RHOA, on any given night, African-American women can turn on the TV and see a range of portrayals of ourselves. But what are the shows that we just can’t miss each week?
According to a Nielsen’s “African-American Women: Our Science, Her Magic” report, these were our top 20 programs from 2016:
2. #1: “Empire” (FOX)
![Cookie Lyons Empire Season One](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/09/14430275618591.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=693&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
No one can get enough Cookie & company!
3. #2: “The New Edition Story” (BET)
![2016 Urbanworld Film Festival - 'Shots Fired' & 'The New Edition Story' Screenings](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/14749938496771.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=720&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
We flocked to this BET hit miniseries about our beloved boy band.
4. #3: “Star” (FOX)
![2016 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/08/14718747948119.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=398&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
Stars have definitely been born on Lee Daniels’ American musical drama!
5. #4: “The Haves And The Have Nots” (OWN)
![AOL Build Presents Tika Sumpter, Parker Sawyers and Richard Tanne Discussing 'Southside With You'](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/08/14722603044693.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=694&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
Tika Sumpter slays in this soap every season!
6. #5: “Love And Hip Hop Atlanta” (VH1)
![Love & Hip Hop Take Over Memorial Day Weekend Kick Off](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/03/14901092558821.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=720&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
When it comes to the real drama, ATL does it the best!
7. #7: “Queen Sugar” (OWN)
![BUILD Series Presents Rutina Wesley, Dawn-Lyen Gardner and Kofi Siriboe Discussing Their New OWN Series 'Queen Sugar'](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/02/14865752405832.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=720&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C460px)
Ava DuVernay’s gripping family drama is nothing short of perfection.
8. #8: “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)
![ABC's 'How to Get Away with Murder' - Season Three](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/02/14861050798325-e1486105262296.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=720&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
Viola Davis’ nuanced portrayal of Annalise Keating gives us chills every Thursday.
9. #9: “Love And Hip Hop” (VH1)
![VH1 'Love & Hip Hop' Season 4 Premiere](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/01/14519663492194-e1451966035395.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=685&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
We will forever be grateful to this show for changing our lives by introducing us to Cardi B.
10. #10 “If Loving You Is Wrong”
Folks really do love their Tyler Perry soaps!
11. #11: “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (Bravo)
![The Real Housewives of Atlanta - Season 9](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/04/14916622483785.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=720&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
One word: Phaedra.
12. #12: “Love And Hip Hop: Hollywood” (VH1)
![Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood Premiere Event](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2015/07/14371348741758-e1442897704293.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=720&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
This Tinseltown spin-off is just as juicy and ridiculous as the original!
13. #13: “Greenleaf” (OWN)
![Premiere Of OWN's 'Greenleaf' - Arrivals](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/06/14662568441432.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=676&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
It’s hard to tear your eyes away from this powerful megachurch melodrama.
14. #14: “FOX NFL Sunday” (FOX)
![San Francisco 49ers v San Diego Chargers](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/09/14733497966817.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=720&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
Hey, even the sistas love a little gridiron on Sundays!
15. #16: “Shots Fired” (FOX)
![FOX's 'Shots Fired' - Season One](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/03/14894187178327.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=332&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
Sanaa Lathan, Aisha Hinds and Stephan James gave us our entire life in
Gina Prince-Bythewood’s engrossing cop drama.
16. #18: “Lethal Weapon” (FOX)
![Premiere Of Fox Network's 'Lethal Weapon' - Red Carpet](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2016/10/14763020049574.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=720&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
Keesha Sharpe and Damon Wayans shine in this buddy cop comedy-drama.
17. #19: T.I. And Tiny (VH1)
![925 Scales Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Hosted By T.I.](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/09/15060925350785.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=690&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
With the on-again-off again couple reconciling (again), we wonder if there will be a season 7?
18. #20: “Love And Hip Hop Atlanta” Specials
![Stevie J. + Joseline Hernandez Host Gold Room](https://ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/50/2017/08/1502557577203.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=429&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C480px)
Folks just these 4-part reunions!