San Francisco hometown star Terri J. Vaughn hits streaming highs in Tyler Perry Studios ‘She the People’ on Netflix 

by Jackie Wright

San Franciscans are beaming as Terri J. Vaughn’s new project shines bright on Netflix.

San Francisco, CA – With the release of Tyler Perry Studios “She the People” producer, writer, actress Terri J. Vaughn and cast members are streaming in the top ten of Netflix with the well-received first eight installments of the 16-episode comedic series.

Starting out the block at number one when the first eight episodes dropped on May 22, “She the People” with lead cast members Terri J. Vaughn, Kevin Thoms, Jade Novah, Robert Craighead and Dyon Brooks aka Mojobrookzz, settled into second place after the release of “Sirens,” a limited series drama with Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock and Kevin Bacon on May 23.

For a complete list of the “She the People” cast click here. Vaughn’s husband since 2008, Karon Riley, former NFL player and currently an actor, producer and director like Vaughn, plays Vaughn’s character’s love interest in five episodes.

The comedy “She the People” depicts the unlikely political career of Antoinette Dunkerson, a Mississippi Lieutenant Governor candidate. It should be noted that there has been only one Black person to hold a statewide elected office in Mississippi since the 1800’s.  Mike Espy became the first Black Mississippian since Reconstruction to be elected to a statewide office. He served as Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce from 1980 to 1986. Espy also served at the federal level as President Bill Clinton’s U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.  During Reconstruction, Hiram Revels (U.S. Senator, 1870–1871) and Blanche K. Bruce (U.S. Senator, 1875–1881) were Black Mississippians serving in the U.S. Senate.

Vaughn created “She the People.” Former Mayor London Breed, the first Black female mayor in San Francisco  is inspiration for the show, cited Vaughn in press reports. I watched my friend, who grew up in the Fillmore while I grew up in the Bayview, come up through the ranks and overcome pushback to lead one of the richest cities in our nation, explained Vaughn in several interviews.

Written by co-creator and director, Tyler Perry and co-creator and writer Niya Palmer, “She the People” received some powerful help from executive producer Keisha Lance Bottoms to help convince Perry to produce the show. Elected in 2017, Lance Bottoms is the second Black woman to serve as Mayor of Atlanta.  

Shirley Franklin, elected in 2002, was the first female Black mayor of Atlanta, plus the first Black woman to serve as mayor of a major Southern city. Vaughn talks about her iconic roles including “She the People:” https://youtu.be/JFr0yqBHTC4?si=JBl7Vi2X75oId84e

Filmmaker, Kevin Epps, who came up through the ranks of the San Francisco Black Film Festival shared his excitement over Vaughn’s success.  “Our ‘round the way girl’ from the Bayview continues to do great things,” said Kevin Epps, Editor of the San Francisco BayView Newspaper, “It’s an honor to be able to feature an article about my friend Terri, who is an inspiration to young people, not only in the BayView but around the world,” added Epps. “With the expansion and new direction of the San Francisco BayView Newspaper, Terri will also encourage our paid college interns who have aspirations for careers in science, the arts and more.”

News first hit home, when Vaughn’s aunt, Velma Landers, known for her decades of housing expertise for under served communities and her foray into entertainment as well with a former jazz club. “Velmas” in the BayView and hospitality host of many “Blues Cruises!” Landers posted on her Facebook Page the Times Square photo of her niece standing in front of the massive “She the People” billboard “large and in charge’ and in living color” also posted on Instagram.

On Saturday May 31^st, the public had an opportunity to  speak live with “She the People” stars, Terri J. Vaughn,  Jade Novah, and Dyon Brooks aka Mojobrookzz as part of the show’s promotion on Instagram hosted by Nzinga Imani.  Vaughn most recently graced the Bay Area with her presence via the internet last year at Oakland International Film Festival founded by Executive Director David Roach, renowned UCSF surgeon Max Roach and Director Paul Roach. Vaughn has stated the Roach brothers with Paul instrumental in directing Vaughn had a major impact on her early career.  The promo by the pair encourages everyone to see all eight episodes before the live on Instagram “spill the tea” conversation.  Check out  the discussion here.

Vaughn, never one to let moss grow under her feet, has already moved on to her next project: directing the third season of “Reasonable Doubt” on Hulu after completing “She the People.”

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