“Hidden Stories of an Upscale African American Community”
Nestled behind the secure gates of the Country Club at Woodmore is a realm of influence, opulence, and one of the most prosperous African-American neighborhoods in America.
Situated in Prince George’s County, Maryland – one of the most affluent predominantly black counties in the US – this country club, along with its attached gated community, serves as the hub of the region’s elite. Despite its historical ties to slavery during the plantation era, the area has come to symbolize “black excellence,” according to locals interviewed by the BBC.
For those like Patricia Gafford, residing in this exclusive enclave requires substantial wealth. While Mrs. Gafford is a member of the private country club and enjoys playing golf there, she and her husband opted not to live within the gated community due to its perceived extravagance.
The allure of this setting has even inspired a groundbreaking new soap opera titled “Beyond the Gates,” which will air its second week of episodes starting Monday. Notably, the show marks the first daytime soap opera on network TV in over twenty years with a predominantly black cast, a fact that Kristen Warner, an associate professor at Cornell University, believes is long overdue.
Featuring a fictional upscale suburb named Fairmont Crest and focusing on the Dupree family, “Beyond the Gates” promises to deliver the dramatic and glamorous essence of soap operas, with a fresh perspective on black families and their stories.
The ambiance of the show draws inspiration from the exclusive community tucked away in Prince George’s County, characterized by grand brick houses resembling castles and luxury vehicles adorning driveways. The affluence of the black community here surprises newcomers like Sierra Balgar, who highlights the stark contrast of seeing black families residing in extravagant homes.
With a population where over 80% identify as black and a median household income surpassing $214,000, Woodmore stands out as a beacon of black affluence in the US. The community’s prosperity and cultural significance are further underscored by Ms. Balgar’s golf outings at Woodmore and the buzz surrounding “Beyond the Gates.”
While now a symbol of black elite society near Washington DC, Prince George’s County’s roots trace back to a darker past, being home to a significant enslaved African American population in the 1800s. As Susan Pearl, a historian, notes, one of the region’s largest plantations once occupied the very grounds now hosting Woodmore’s gated community.
“Some affluent black families live on land where hundreds of enslaved people once worked for a white property owner,” Ms. Pearl comments. Following the Civil War, the county was predominantly black but saw a shift after violence against African Americans drove many away, according to Maya Davis, chair of the Maryland Commission on African American History and Culture. Black Americans began returning to the area in the early 1970s after a court desegregated the schools, leading to the region becoming known for its wealth. The federal government’s anti-discrimination policies in the nearby Washington, DC, area provided opportunities and better pay for black Americans, contributing to their economic success and making Prince George’s County the wealthiest majority-black county in the US. By the late 1980s, affluent homes owned by black families began appearing, while the white population continued to decline due to “white flight.” It wasn’t until 1992 that the Country Club at Woodmore admitted its first black member, nearly seven decades after opening in 1923.
The soap opera Beyond the Gates is a historic moment as it places a black family at the center of the plot, unlike traditional soap operas where black characters were secondary. The show airs amid a backlash against diversity and inclusion efforts, with its creation stemming from a collaboration between CBS and the NAACP in 2020 following the Black Lives Matter movement. The club’s black members find Woodmore a safe and familiar space amidst shifting political climates, emphasizing a sense of inclusivity and belonging. Hope Wiseman, a young black woman who opened a cannabis dispensary nearby, appreciates the soap opera’s name, “Beyond the Gates,” as it reflects the curiosity about what lies beyond exclusive spaces.
In a society where representation matters, individuals like Ms. Wiseman are advocating for more visibility of black entrepreneurs and professionals, such as black dentists like her mother, in mainstream media. Ms. Wiseman highlights the importance of showcasing black excellence that is often overlooked on television screens, emphasizing the significance of seeing diverse narratives depicted in entertainment.
Expressing her enthusiasm for a new soap opera that reflects her community, Ms. Wiseman acknowledges the rarity of witnessing black excellence portrayed authentically in the media. She underscores the impact of growing up in an environment where success and achievement are embodied by individuals who look like her, recognizing the lack of this experience for many in the broader black American community.
Ms. Wiseman’s perspective sheds light on the disparity in representation that exists within the media landscape, where narratives of black excellence are not as prominent as they should be. By championing the portrayal of diverse stories that showcase the achievements of black entrepreneurs and professionals, she aims to challenge stereotypes and inspire a more inclusive media environment for all viewers.
The significance of seeing oneself reflected in the media cannot be understated, as it shapes perceptions, aspirations, and self-worth. Ms. Wiseman’s advocacy for increased visibility of black excellence serves as a call to action for media producers to diversify their storytelling and provide a platform for underrepresented voices to be heard.
As the push for greater diversity and inclusivity in media continues to gain momentum, individuals like Ms. Wiseman serve as catalysts for change, advocating for a more representative and equitable portrayal of diverse communities on screen. Their efforts pave the way for a more inclusive media landscape that celebrates the richness and diversity of experiences within society.
In a world where representation matters, the voices of individuals like Ms. Wiseman resonate as a reminder of the power of storytelling to shape perceptions, challenge norms, and inspire positive change. Through her advocacy for increased visibility of black excellence in the media, Ms. Wiseman invites us to reimagine a world where diverse narratives are not only acknowledged but celebrated, reflecting the true tapestry of human experiences and achievements.
