Every Time ‘That’s So Raven’ Proved It Was a Black Show

We shouldn’t be surprised when Raven-Symoné says something that makes Black folks scratch their heads. However, her recently resurfaced comments about her classic hit Disney Channel show, “That’s So Raven,” have prompted more than a handful of folks online to speak out.

Specifically, the online chatter is due to a resurfaced podcast interview from April 2026 in which she questioned whether her hilarious and beloved character was actually Black. As the clip began to go viral, more and more people took to social media to share countless moments from the show that prove that question shouldn’t be a question at all.

We had to jump into the conversation and help prove just how undeniably Black “That’s So Raven” was. From our fashions to our cultural sayings and mannerisms, we know Blackness doesn’t just look one way. But there are still some things that are undeniably ours, and this show is one of them. Keep reading for more!

Raven Doing the Beyoncé Twerk

One of the most hilarious references to Black culture in this show was when Raven did a very obvious Beyoncé twerk to a very obvious “Crazy In Love” inspired song. This episode dropped in 2005, two years after the song was released. But the influence here is undeniable. You wouldn’t catch Hillary Duff doing this (no shade).

Related: Raven-Symoné Spills the Tea on How Disney Compared Her to Miley Cyrus Back in the Day, Guess How It Went Down…

Raven’s Black Hairstyles

From the slicked-back ponytails to the flat twists to the microbraids—nearly all of Raven’s hairstyles on the show looked like something straight out of Hype Hair Magazine. She was really giving us Black girls a look book with each episode!

The Theme Song

At the time, there were very few theme songs that featured a rap verse, and if they did, they were associated with predominantly Black shows or catered to Black audiences (think “All That” and “Kenan & Kel”). “That’s So Raven’s” theme song leaned more hip-hop, which undoubtedly made Black viewers want to tune in.

Eddie Pop-Lockin’ on the Court

Giving Orlando Brown’s character a whole rap and basketball routine was a condensed version of “High School Musical” before it was even a thing. But choosing to platform hip-hop with sports, two genres that also have a large Black fan base, made sense on the show. (Side note: Eddie walked so Troy Bolton could run, and whoever says otherwise is a liar.)

Raven Gets Denied Job Due to Racism

If you’re looking for an on-the-nose example that proves “That’s So Raven” is a Black show, perhaps no other episode makes it clearer than one from season three, in which her character was deliberately denied a job at the mall simply because she was Black. Despite being the better candidate over her white best friend Chelsea (Anneliese van der Pol) and acing all the hiring tests, Raven wasn’t hired and learned a hard lesson about racism and discrimination.

Raven Complaining About No “Ice”

When Raven and Eddie tried to pretend to be an item in season four, she complained that it was a hard role to fulfill because she was always being nagged and didn’t receive any benefits. Specifically, she complained about not being gifted any jewelry (aka “ice”). We’re sorry, but no white girl is saying anything like this with the amount of attitude Raven had!

Raven Remixing Her Sister Song

Once again, hip-hop was featured in season four when Raven paired up with her eight-year-old friend Sydney for a “big sis/little miss” community beauty pageant, acting as a big sister figure. While their seemingly original song was cute, things got hype once the “remix” dropped.

Raven Serving Fashion While Feuding With Cousins

Raven showed us some elite fashions in season one (and the rest of the series), but she kept it real when her cousin Andrea came to visit. Their epic feuds were driven by jealousy from the jump. While storylines about fighting cousins and fashion aren’t exclusive to Black folks, the way both things were portrayed in the series felt unique to the Black experience.

Raven’s Mom Kept Her Hair in Protective Styles 24/7

One of the more subtle yet noticeable things on the show was the fact that Raven’s mom, Tanya (played by T’Keyah Crystal Keymáh), always wore some sort of protective style on the show. Whether they were plaits or twists, it became abundantly clear that natural hairstyles were accepted and appreciated on the show, and that sort of representation spoke volumes.

Raven Carried Everything But Books in Her Bag

Most Black girls have fond memories of making sure their purses and backpacks at school had everything they needed to keep them looking right all day: lotion, hair accessories, a brush, and more. So when Raven emptied her bookbag to reveal everything except books inside, every Black girl could immediately relate.

Raven Going Hip-Hop “Hello”

Even in the simple things, like greeting her parents, Raven proved that this was a pretty cultured house. Between her little dances, being consistently hype, and all of the hip-hop references—we knew this show was for the culture.

Della Reese Doo-Wopping & Scatting

There’s no way you could deny this show’s Blackness when a Black music legend like Della Reese appeared with a performance that brought classic Black jazz flair to the show. That moment was iconic for the show, paying homage to an era that history likes to forget.

Raven Hootin’, Hollerin’ and Carryin’ On

One thing about Black folks is that when it’s our perceived time to shine, we’re going to make it count. Seeing Raven sing with her whole chest like rent was due was something we all could understand. We’ve all been there, and it doesn’t matter where we are—the karaoke bar or the school talent show—if it’s time for us to be lit, then we’re gonna show out!