Would “Harlem Heights” Still Be Around If They Fought More?

Show: Harlem Heights

Who: Ashlie Gray,Briana Bigham, Bridget Bland, Brooke Crittendon, Christian Grant-Fields, Jason Allen, Landon Dais and Pierre Downing

When: Harlem Heights premiered in March, 2009 and ended after one season.

Network: BET

Why We Watched: Harlem Heights captured the lives of eight African American young adults living in Harlem, NYC, who all share common goals. The characters were  fresh out of college and looking for love and success in the big city. The show highlights major moments in each characters lives, such as career opportunities, relationships, friendships, and what’s a reality TV show without a little bit of drama?

Ashlie was a new actress, trying to find her place in the city. She dabbled in the possibility of a future with Christian, however, Christian ended up falling in love with Brooke.

Brooke was an MTV producer and she shared an intimate dinner with Pierre. However, Pierre and Bridget grew closer toward the end of the season.

Bridget and Briana are cousins. Bridget was labeled the gossip girl on the show. She is an entertainment writer and a law student. Briana has been in the New York fashion industry for eight years and launched her own line of handbags called “B. Marie,” during the final episode of the show.

Tami Talks…

“That was the one time I think BET actually got it right. It was a show about 7 or8 twenty somethings, African-Americans really working hustling and doing something positive. Showing positive imagery to other young African-Americans. Unfortunately, it was cancelled. Maybe if the girl [Briana]  that was making handbags hit one of the other b*tches in the head it would still be on the air!”

As for the men of Harlem Heights, Christian was the Lifestyle editor for Dime Magazine. Jason started a non-profit organization for children. Landon was all about politics and ran for New York City Council (9th District Central Harlem / Morningside Heights). Pierre came from a rough background, and plays college basketball.

Impact: During its short run on BET, Harlem Heights left a phenomenal impact on reality TV history. The show and its intelligent, motivated cast showed the world that Harlem is not just for people from “the hood” and that the stereotype is far from the truth. Many Harlemites are successful, talented young adults.

Aftermath: Although there were no spin-offs of Harlem Heights, the show had a number of “sister shows” like College Hill and Baldwin Hills that followed the same type of theme. College Hill differed in that it  followed the lives of students at historically black colleges. There was a spin-off of College Hill entitled College Hill Interns which followed the lives of ten college students from different universities on their summer internship program. Baldwin Hills captured the lives of wealthy African American teens growing up in the Los Angeles neighborhood Baldwin Hills.

Trivia: Briana Bigham is “good at handbags…excellent at clothes.” Bigham’s next handbag line will be called Blackout. It will be an ode to the black handbag. According to Hello Beautiful, Bingham plans to build a lifestyle brand and eventually branch out to apparel. “I will eventually move back into clothing because I’m very skilled at that. That’s probably my best attribute. I’m good at handbags, I’m excellent at clothes.”

Brooke Crittendon is Kanye West’s ex-girlfriend.

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