Authentic Multigenerational Stories Have Broad Appeal Among Black Adults 18-Plus

Black adults of all ages believe it is important to see actors from different generations represented together in movies and television. Nearly all Black adults (96%) say showing actors of different generations together is important, including 95% of adults ages 18 to 34. Many say multigenerational representation makes stories more relatable, reflects real-life relationships, and helps break down age-related stereotypes. These findings suggest that age-inclusive storytelling is not simply an issue for older audiences. It resonates across generations and has the potential to expand audience appeal.

Audiences want more diverse and relatable storylines

While many Black adults say they see characters their age on screen, nearly half (46%) feel that people their age are underrepresented in certain storylines. The most commonly cited gaps include family dynamics, friendship and social connection, and romantic relationships. Additionally, audiences express strong interest in seeing more stories centered on love and romance as well as characters overcoming adversity. These findings highlight opportunities for creators to broaden representation and develop richer narratives that better reflect the experiences of Black adults across the life course.

Older Black women play an important role in shaping perceptions of aging

Black adults recognize the influence that movies and television have on how society views aging. Nearly 9 in 10 (87%) agree that media portrayals influence perceptions of getting older, and more than half (54%) say seeing older Black women on screen has made them feel more positive about aging. At the same time, only one-quarter believe portrayals of Black women are very accurate, suggesting there is room for more authentic representation. Audiences see older Black women as influential cultural figures whose portrayals can challenge stereotypes, create meaningful connections, and help redefine expectations about aging.

Methodology

Interviews were conducted June 1 to 15, 2026, among 1,801 Black adults 18 and older via RepData's online panel. Nested quota sampling was employed to ensure the sample resembled the U.S. population of Black adults 18 and older.

For more information about this survey, please contact Lona Choi-Allum. For media inquiries, contact media@aarp.org.