Garcelle. Bozoma. And the Myth of the One Right Way to Belong

The departure of Garcelle Beauvais from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills sparked a wave of conversation across the Black community—especially with the announcement that Bozoma Saint John will be stepping into the spotlight as the franchise’s newest cast member.

Both are powerful Black women. Both are successful, stunning, and unapologetically themselves. Yet the internet can’t seem to hold space for both.

Some are saying, “Garcelle walked so Boz could run.” Others feel Bozoma’s entry is a breath of fresh air—an evolved version of what Black womanhood looks like when we’ve had enough of explaining ourselves to the world.

But here’s the truth: Black people are not a monolith.

Garcelle, a Haitian-American woman and seasoned actress, gave us grace under pressure. She endured microaggressions, isolation, and subtle dismissals—and did so with poise, all while educating her castmates and much of the audience about Black culture along the way. She represented a generation of women who had to shrink a little to be heard, to navigate spaces that were never built for us.

And then there’s Bozoma—former CMO, global brand executive, and embodiment of audacity. Her presence says: “I don’t need to explain. I’ve arrived.” She walks in full self-knowledge, grounded in her Ghanaian heritage, and doesn’t wait for permission to take up space.

This isn’t about who deserves the spotlight more. It’s about the danger of assuming there’s only one version of “acceptable” Blackness in professional—or public—spaces.

Key Takeaways for Business Professionals:

• Representation doesn’t require replication.

There’s room for more than one type of Black leader, voice, or narrative. Different expressions of excellence deserve equal respect.

• Respect the path AND the presence.

Don’t diminish the trailblazers for the boldness of those who follow. We need both—the Garcelle's who withstand and the Bozoma's who disrupt.

• Identity is not a strategy.

Companies that tokenize their Black talent based on a singular “acceptable” archetype risk missing the richness of diverse perspectives.

• Honor lived experience.

From Garcelle’s subtle advocacy to Bozoma’s bold declarations, both approaches carry weight—and both are valid forms of leadership.

Let’s stop dividing our admiration. Let’s start expanding our definitions of belonging. Because when we understand that there are many ways to walk into a room with power—we all win.