Shameika Rhymes, Host & Journalist

When a television storyline tackles a medical crisis, the weight falls on the actors to bring authenticity to the screen. For Tamara Tunie, Daphnee Duplaix, and Clifton Davis, portraying a family navigating a health battle on the award-winning CBS soap opera Beyond the Gates, was not just acting. It was a reflection of deep personal loss and a call to action for the communities they represent. The three actors spoke with BlackDoctor about how their own health experiences showed up on-screen.

On CBS’s daytime drama Beyond the Gates, Anita Dupree is the woman everyone expects to stand tall. She is the fierce matriarch of the Dupree family, a former superstar, Vernon’s wife, Dani and Nicole’s mother, and a grandmother whose sheer presence shapes the entire family. Played with commanding grace by Tamara Tunie, Anita has always carried herself with elegance, authority, and control.

When CBS’s daytime drama Beyond the Gates scripted that matriarch “Anita Dupree” (Tamara Tunie) would receive a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis, it did more than tell a health storyline. It built a new way to reach Black families through characters viewers already care about; a narrative rooted in real medical concerns, public service announcement (PSA) clips, and targeted breast health tools from the Know Your Lemons Foundation, a global breast health charity dedicated to early detectio...

The conversation around high blood pressure could not be more urgent, especially in the African-American community. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC),nearly half of US adults have high blood pressure and three in four adults with hypertension do not have it under control. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is often called the “silent killer” because it rarely comes with obvious symptoms. Yet over time, it quietly damages the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and even dementia. During a recent BlackDoctor conversation, we sat down with Dr. Yolanda Lawson, OB-GYN, past president of the National Medical Association, and executive medical director at Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), to break down what hypertension really is, why it is so dangerous, and what people can do right now to get their blood pressure under control.

When Right On! magazine first appeared in 1971, it did not just cover Black culture; It created and celebrated it. For decades, the teen publication served as both a mirror and a megaphone for Black youth, offering images of beauty, joy, and possibility at a time when few other outlets did. Now celebrating its 55th anniversary, Right On! remains a cultural touchstone under the leadership of Cynthia Horner, its longtime editor and current CEO and co-owner. “It means that it is still here and I am still here,” she says. “We do not have many publications that have withstood the test of time. The fact that Right On! is still a cultural icon all over the world keeps my heart filled with joy.”

’Tis nearly the season to be merry and bright in McAdenville, North Carolina, a tiny town with an outsized role in the history of the textile industry. Each year, the modest-sized community transforms into a glowing, festive wonderland. Red, green and white lights drape trees, homes, bridges and lampposts, turning the town into a living greeting card known as Christmas Town U.S.A.

Forty-two percent of women say they’d rather work for themselves than an employer. The appeal is obvious: Working for yourself often symbolizes freedom, setting your own schedule, choosing projects you’re passionate about, and steering your own career. I can relate. I started freelancing while working a stressful career in television news just to feel like I had some control over my work. Then, I realized: I can use these hustle skills to rack up freelance jobs and apply that experience to my...

Let’s be honest, balancing work, wellness, and the demands of everyday life can sometimes feel like a full-time job in itself. But what if the key to better balance was already right at your fingertips? YouTube is not just for beauty tutorials or binge-worthy vlogs. It is one of the most underrated tools for simplifying your day and supporting your wellbeing. In a recent InHerSight poll, one user shared that she uses YouTube to help with meal prep. That is a time-saving strategy that is both pr...

Companies are increasingly calling employees back to the office, and for many women, the fear of routines changing weighs heavy. According to a recent InHerSight survey, loss of autonomy and work-life balance is the second-most feared change among women—the first being return to office's impact on time and flexibility. Autonomy in the workplace means having the ability to make decisions, shape one’s workload, and navigate career growth with ownership and agency. Without it, employees may feel...

Social media often gets a bad rap for fostering feelings of isolation, competition, and comparison. But there’s another, much warmer side to the digital world, one rooted in connection and support. As humans, we crave belonging, and we want to feel like we aren’t the only ones on this roller coaster called life. Women especially tend to seek spaces where we can find inspiration, learn from one another, laugh at ourselves, and feel seen. And according to our audience, Instagram remains one of th...

When you're sitting in an interview and the hiring manager asks, "What is your superpower?" It can feel like a curveball. This question isn’t just about boasting or listing off your skills; it’s about showcasing the unique value you bring to the table. Employers aren’t trying to trip up a job candidate with this question, in fact, there’s a deeper meaning behind it. “Employers ask this question because they want to uncover what unique talents and strengths you bring to the table. They’re lookin...

Words hold a lot of power. Maybe you’re looking for some inspiration to get you through a stressful work week, or maybe you want to send your friends a little encouragement. Perhaps you need some motivation to finish that application, apply for that promotion, or even just set yourself up for success in all areas of your life. Some short inspirational quotes can help. My grandparents always had a way of simplifying life's complexities with their wisdom. Two quotes of theirs that always stood ou...

The Traitors host is being honored for his esteemed stage career ahead of hosting Season 3 of The Traitors.Alan Cumming, host of Peacock's award-winning series The Traitors, is one of the new members of the Hollywood Walk of Fame Class of 2025. On Monday, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced next year’s selections to receive a star on Hollywood Boulevard’s storied walk, including the likes of Jane Fonda, David Beckham, Fran Drescher, Fantasia, Courtney B. Vance, and the late Prince. Joini...

The Married to Medicine Reunion continues with more shade, more apologies, and man-splaining complete with a surprise guest in Part Two. If you thought Part One of the Married to Medicine Reunion was dramatic, then Part Two would have made your jaw drop. Season 10 was filled with a roller coaster of events — friendships broken and formed, spouses being "trained," and the shadiness went to new levels. Part One of the Reunion saw apologies, misunderstandings being cleared up, and boundaries being

Married to Medicine's Season 10 wasn't short of drama, but Part One of the reunion brought even more jaw-dropping moments. Did Phaedra & Dr. G Date? The Married to Medicine Reunion Kicks Off with Tears & Truth Married to Medicine Season 10 has been one for the books, but it’s not done just yet. The three-part reunion kicked off with host (and mediator) Andy Cohen reflecting on some of the season's and the franchise’s biggest moments. It is the 10-year anniversary, after all. The reunion takes

Who Is the Best Golfer Among the Married to Medicine Crew? The ladies of Married to Medicine teed off on the golf course and discovered why their husbands love to hit the links. "Under the Influence": The Married to Medicine Ladies Discover Why Their Husbands Love to Golf The Hilton Head couples trip continues with lots of drinks, laughter, and of course drama amongst the Married to Medicine ladies. It’s no secret that the Married to Medicine husbands love to spend their time on the golf course

The Queen of Percussion, Sheila E, is hitting the America's Got Talent: Fantasy League stage. Who better to join a finale musical performance than the Queen of Percussion? Sheila E is set to take the stage on the finale of America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League. The the drumming sensation always

Sainted sailed through to the semifinals with the Golden Buzzer on AGT: Fantasy League. See their show stopping performance of "Purple Rain." America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League saw a musical performance like no other as the Sainted Trap Choir headed back to the Got Talent stage by way of Simon Cowell’s Dream Team. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based group mixes a gospel sound with secular music for their unique blend of vocals and live performance.

Witness the Magic of This JOYOUS Dance Performance from Ghetto Kids! | AGT: Fantasy League 2024 | NBC Chapel Hart returned to the AGT: Fantasy League stage for redemption with their song "American Pride." Chapel Hart Somehow Outdid Themselves with a Stunning Encore of “American Pride” Another fan favorite made their way back to the stage by way of America’s Got Talent: Fantasy League. Chapel Hart made another triumphant return after winning the hearts of fans on a previous AGT season.

It was a battle to the finish line of Peacock’s new spinoff Love Island Games, filled with challenges, couples, games, and lots of drama. RELATED: Love Island Games Finalist Aurelia Was Shocked to Learn About All the Johnny Hate Through it all, Justine Ndiba and Jack Fowler came out on top as the winners of Love Island Game’s inaugural season. Justine is no stranger to the winner’s circle, as she made history in Love Island USA’s Season 2 as part of the first Black couple to win the franchise.