Stacey Abrams, the respected political leader, tax attorney, and bestselling author, is giving flowers to the iconic 90s sitcom Living Single—and the character who helped shape her future.
During a recent appearance on the Reliving Single podcast hosted by Living Single stars Erika Alexander and Kim Coles, Abrams opened up about how the groundbreaking series inspired her, especially the sharp, confident and unapologetic lawyer Maxine Shaw.
Abrams joined the podcast via video call for an episode revisiting Season 1, Episode 7 of Living Single, titled “Full Court Press.” This episode marked the first time fans saw Maxine Shaw in her element—arguing a case in court and representing her friend Khadijah.
During the discussion, Alexander asked Abrams directly: Was it true that she had been inspired by Maxine Shaw, attorney at law?
“Absolutely,” Abrams responded. “When I was becoming who I needed to be, there was ‘Living Single’ and there was Maxine Shaw, attorney at law. The ability of that character to show Black women in particular the full scope of our intellect, our power, and our capacity for joy was a transformative thing for me.”
A Legal Icon in a Sitcom Frame
Portrayed by Alexander, Maxine Shaw was a standout character on Living Single—a no-nonsense attorney whose sharp mind and witty comebacks made her a fan favorite.
For many viewers, including Abrams, Max represented something rare at the time: a multidimensional Black woman in a respected legal profession, navigating love, friendship, and career with confidence.
“Max showed us we could be brilliant and have joy,” Abrams added.
Living as a Multitude
But it wasn’t just Max who inspired her. Abrams also took a moment to honor Coles’ character, Sinclair James, the quirky receptionist with big dreams and a gentle spirit.
“Sinclair… as this character who was trying to find herself, was also incredibly important,” Abrams said. “I’m a tax attorney who was writing romance novels. And I could contain multitude. Watching someone who had one thing she was told she was supposed to be, but finding her creative passion, was important.”
Cultural Legacy
Living Single, which aired from 1993 to 1998, followed the lives of six Black friends living in a Brooklyn brownstone and was one of the first shows to center Black professionals, especially women, in a joyful and aspirational way.
The show paved the way for series like Girlfriends, Insecure, and even Sex and the City.
Through the Reliving Single podcast, Alexander and Coles are bringing the show’s legacy to a new generation, and conversations like Abrams’ show just how much that legacy continues to matter.
