The relationships between black women are at the cornerstone of what makes us great.

Despite what you may see on reality TV and encounter on social media, the friendships among black women are some of the most solid that you will find. Our sisterhood is often so tight, that even the thought of outside forces trying to disrupt it sends us into fierce protective mode.

Like it or not, TV often shapes the way we view the world, zeroing in on our hopes and dreams of possibly recreating in real-life what we see on our television screens. During the black sitcom golden age of the '90s, black female relationships on TV were everywhere and then slowly but surely, as those shows went off the air, we had to wait awhile to see that representation again.

Luckily black television is the best it's been in years right now and that means that the relationships of black female friends is once again being shown to a whole new generation. From comedies, dramas and a little bit of both, black girlfriends are definitely having a moment on the small screen. Check out our picks of the best black girlfriends on TV that we wish we could hang out with in real life!

"Insecure"

HBO

When it comes to black girlfriends on TV, few are as entertaining, loyal, and real as the girls from Issa Rae's HBO hit Insecure. Issa, Molly, Kelly, and Tiffany are as different as can be, but despite their arguments, shade, and sometimes pettiness, they are always there for each other when it matters most. From not being judgmental about each other's poor decisions to always being there for each other to pick up the pieces when life gets real, the Insecure girls represent the best example of black female friendship on TV today.

"Dear White People"

Netflix

With season two officially streaming, fans got to see the friendship bond between the female cast of Netflix's Dear White People even more than before. Without spoiling the season for those who still haven't seen it, there are heartbreaking and life-altering issues that Sam, Joelle, and Coco experience that bond them together forever. On the surface, the trio seems to be different from each other, and while that is true in certain aspects, they collectively share traits that make them friends who will be there when life gets hard.

"Grown-ish"

In this spinoff of ABC's hit series Black-ish, oldest daughter Zoey heads off to college to grow up and experience life as a college student. Considering that actress Yara Shahidi is actually in her first year of college in real life, the show is the perfect way to highlight the growing pains of being a young millennial. Zoey has lots of friends, both male and female, but it's her relationship with twin sister athletes Jazlyn and Skylar Forster that are the bright spot. On the surface (and to faculty and staff), the twins are seemingly picture perfect, but their worldly sass and smarts often serve the inexperienced Zoey well as she deals with love, school, and finding herself.

"Orange is the New Black"

Netflix

The setting and circumstances surrounding the friendship between the black women inmates on Netflix's Orange is the New Black are certainly not ideal, but that doesn't mean they are any less meaningful. Out of all the shows on this list, this group of friends have faced the greatest challenges for obvious reasons. Issues such as death at the hands of a correctional officer, mental illness, abuse, and secret children, are just some of the things that Taystee, Poussey, Black Cindy, Suzanne (Crazy Eyes), and Janae have been through during their time in Litchfield prison. The ladies are more than cellmates…they're family.

"She's Gotta Have It"

Netflix

One of the newest hits from Netflix's arsenal is the television adaptation of Spike Lee's feature film debut. In it, the larger focus is on Nola Darling and her many male romantic suitors, but there is also a welcomed representation of her relationships with women as well. Nola, Clorinda, and Shemekka are all at different points in their lives and experiencing varying levels of life's ups and downs. However, the most refreshing part of their relationship is just how deep it goes without feeling suffocating. Given that only one season has aired so far and production on season two is underway, we look forward to seeing this girlfriend bond expand even more.

"Star"

FOX

Lee Daniels' companion series to the hit Empire, is the perfect example of black female millennial relationships. On Star, the three female leads aren't all black, one is biracial, one is white, and one African American, but the black girlfriend sisterhood is in full effect. The girls argue, fist fight, backstab, and shade each other on the regular—but somehow, they always come back together and attempt to learn from their mistakes as they navigate the messy world of music. That's how friendships can be when you're young, inexperienced, and never really had true friends, things get messy—but these girls are determined to stick it out through the good and the bad.

Featured image by Insecure / HBO

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