Homosexuality is a hot–button topic in the Black community.
It’s also a topic most Black people prefer to avoid, according to Dre on Wednesday night’s hilarious and timely installment of black-ish, ticking off a list of taboo subjects which also included whether or not O.J. Simpson committed murder, the appropriate number of buttons on a suit and our love of Robin Thicke.
Dre’s list was so funny it inspired some viewers to come up with their own lists of forbidden topics in the Black community.
Homosexuality came up because Dre’s sister Rhonda (guest star Raven Symoné) is a lesbian but no one in their family – especially their mom – acknowledges it. But it’s not like Rhonda tried to hide it. She lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her mechanic girlfriend.
Of course, some viewers wondered if this was the actress’ way of coming out, too. Some fans were just happy to see her in the role while others were impressed with the way black-ish handled the topic.
Is Raven Simone done denying that she’s a lesbian by playing a lesbian on #blackish??
Ramping up the comedy, Dre talked about his sister’s sexual orientation with his goofy coworkers. Charlie had everyone beat, of course, because he refused to believe his own brother, who is married to man, is gay. Meanwhile, back at home, Junior was the last to figure out that his Aunt Rhonda and her girlfriend Aunt Sharon are gay. Fans loved both scenarios.
Yes Charlie your brother & his hubby might be gay! #blackishABC
Making matters more complicated, Sharon let it slip to Rainbow that she and Rhonda were planning their wedding. That’s when Rainbow realized that they hadn’t been invited and neither had Dre and Rhonda’s mom Ruby. So Rainbow rocked the boat and challenged Dre to really talk to Rhonda about being a lesbian and the wedding. As expected, the conversation was epically funny and Rhonda even made up a few words including “lesbianic.”
“Lesbianification” “Lesbianic” these words they’re making up#blackishABC
Their talk was so good that Dre went overboard and outed Rhonda at the family’s Mother’s Day dinner. Sadly, this had Ruby seeing red as she refused to acknowledge her daughter’s girlfriend and lifestyle and called on “black Jesus” to help her cope. When black Jesus wasn’t enough, Mama Ruby turned to the Bible and seafood.
She called on black Jesus so you know it was real #blackishABC
In the end, Ruby conceded that her love for her daughter was even deeper than her homophobia. She even said she might attend Rhonda and Sharon’s wedding. That’s progress.
Other highlights included the flashback from Dre’s childhood where his mother didn’t allow him to eat bananas, Rhonda saying that Dre has never been underweight, Charlie’s list of horrible ways to die, Diane and Jack’s Mother’s Day gift battle and Ruby’s endless attacks on Rainbow’s cooking. Rainbow’s happy dance that her mother in law had threatened to leave and not come back was also a treat.
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.
