I love Black women! Particularly, I love strong, intelligent and loving Black women. I guess you can say that I get it from my mother, the epitome of all of those wonderful, albeit somewhat clich adjectives. The truth can become clich at times, but the truth it remains. My television show, “Leading Women” (formerly “Real Life Divas”), tells the triumphs and adversities of famous African-American women such as Dr. Maya Angelou, Susan Taylor, Iman, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Jill Scott and Yolanda Adams, to name a few. In too many instances, mainstream media overlooks the women profiled on my show despite their numerous accomplishments, global contributions and rich stories. As a people, we know that we must celebrate us for us, which is why Essence remains necessary even as we assimilate and acculturate more into white society and culture. And yes, even when we have a Black President. My love for my mother, my grandmothers, my aunts and cousins translated into a love for my sisters. “Sisters” does not refer to my biological sisters — I’m an only child — nor does it reference the colloquial my “sistas” attached to women of African descent. For me, sisters refers to the women in my life who have over time and experience turned our friendships into relationships thicker than blood and deeper than mere ancestry; as Dr. Angelou says, these are my “sister-friends.” I have been fortunate to build a bond with some of the fiercest and baddest women out there. They are truly my family — my sisters — and they are diverse in every way possible. Some I’ve known for almost 35 years. Others for a year. Some are housewives. Some are corporate moguls. Others are artists and comedians. Whatever their titles are, they all share one thing (besides me), and that is their commitment to being excellent mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, girlfriends and lovers. Now, I don’t want you to get the impression that I’m that guy that only hangs around women. I don’t. I have great and lasting relationships with my boys — my brother-friends. As Black men, we all too often get the short end of the stick. And, I am really worried about our young boys and their future. But, that’s another column for another magazine. With that said, it is my unique position as a Black gay man who has great relationships with straight men as well as straight women, it finds me always being asked for advice from my sister-friends about guys. Now, I’m not Steve Harvey or the other guys that try to tell you what to do or what you’re doing wrong. Nor will you get any fashion or make-up tips from me. My perspective, however, has been one that has helped my sister-friends succeed in their relationships and in life, regardless of their titles, socio-economic or relationship status. Many of the topics will be humorous, with salacious-seeming titles, all the while giving you a little spirit and a lot hope. So my goal here is not to reinvent the Bible, but to offer a point of view that may help you too. Hopefully, you will laugh and maybe even be able to apply something to your life. Most importantly, it’s about celebrating my strong, intelligent, and loving Black women. It’s about celebrating YOU! Week to week, we’ll discuss topics like: “Always Be a Maybe, Never a Yes!,” “A Video Vixen Is Not a Role Model,” “Brothas in the Hood Pay Bills — So Should Yours,” “Most Men Are Straight – Stop Trying to Make Them Gay,” “If He Married a Big Girl, Stay Big. If He Married a Skinny Girl, Don’t Get Big,” “The Business in Your Bedroom Has One Place — Your Bedroom,” and other fun topics examined from my point of view with the help of my sister-friends’ experiences. And hopefully the things I’ve said to Andrea, Danielle, Erica, La, Crystal, Eva, Marja, Brandy, Raquel, and my momma too, will resonate as well as inspire, uplift and enlighten you. It will be fun and I look forward to all of your feedback and comments. And hey, you now have a new best friend… that you don’t have to call or send gifts. Catch Nathan Williams and Crystal McCrary Anthony on “Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys,” every Tuesday at 10pm EST on the Sundance Channel.
