It's 2020 and RHONY finally has its first Black cast member

The Real Housewives of New York, the second city to be featured in the ever-expanding franchise, has finally recruited its very first Black cast member… after over a decade on television. The show has had, at one time or another, its tentacles in places such as Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Orange County, New Jersey, D.C., Miami, Potomac, Dallas and Salt Lake City, but this particular iteration takes place in one of the most diverse cities in the world and yet only now is it taking its first baby steps towards reflecting that.Enter: Eboni K. Williams, an attorney and former Fox News Channel host who has been confirmed as the Housewives clique’s latest addition. Currently, she helms and produces her own program, Revolt Black News, a gig she landed earlier this year after she was asked to host by none other than Sean Combs. Considering her CV, we’re guessing she won’t be the show’s new shy girl or shrinking violet. “NYC is filled with successful and dynamic Black women. I’m excited to join this legendary franchise as the first Black housewife,” she told Page Six. “Can’t wait to share a slice of life in this city that hasn’t been seen before. Anyone who’s aware of my work knows I don’t hold back. I’m going to keep it just as real here as I do everywhere else.”

 

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37. I’m so glad to see your ass!! ⁣ ⁣ The past year has tested and gifted me in ways that I couldn’t even conceive of before. ⁣ ⁣ For starters, I started my REVOLT TV journey exactly a year ago with my premiere episode of #SOTC ??. Truly loved my job for the first time in a long time. ⁣ ⁣ Then I suffered a moderate case of coronavirus in April (thank God I didn’t have to be hospitalized ??). But I was sick, and it was scary. For the first time in my life, I REALLY contemplated my own mortality. Shit hits different when you legit think you might be in your last days. ⁣ ⁣ Happiness is now my priority. And for the first time, I don’t feel guilty about it. ⁣ Y’all know I’m driven by my God-given purpose: to make this world better for others, especially those that look like me. ⁣ I work non-stop. And it’s been a great distraction to keep me busy enough to not pay that much attention to...me. ⁣ ⁣ How do I really feel? Am I really happy? And if I’m not, what am I prepared to give up in order to claim my happiness?? ⁣ ⁣ Anything you don’t change, you choose. Being sick and then fully recovering, forced clarity around some of my life choices. Painful & necessary clarity. And I’m grateful for it. #GrowingPains⁣ ⁣ Then, I got a call from Diddy’s team inviting me to host and executive produce a new show for and by Black people. Look at God ya’ll. As the world was at a standstill, I was offered the opportunity to help create the show of my dreams. #RevoltBlackNews⁣ ⁣ Mr. Combs & RevoltTV, you have no idea how you in a way, you saved me this year. I’m forever grateful. ⁣ ⁣ So, 37. I’m literally in pursuit of happiness this year. And I’m excited about. I’ve earned it. This year I’m paying extra close attention to how I FEEL. ⁣ ⁣ In every relationship and in every transaction, I must feel two things in order to proceed: Joy & Safety. Do I feel safe with you? Do I feel protected in this business agreement? Do I enjoy the work? Do I enjoy YOU?? ⁣ ⁣ Cheers to another year to do what I love alongside the people I love ❤️?God Bless⁣ @revolttv @diddy

A post shared by Eboni K. Williams (@ebonikwilliams) on Sep 9, 2020 at 9:45am PDT

Williams will join current cast members Luann de Lesseps, Leah McSweeney, Sonja Morgan, and Ramona Singer. Last August, McSweeney voiced her hope that the show would join other long-running reality series making a recent effort to diversify (see: The Bachelor). In a statement to Page Six she said, “I hope that there’s not only diversity of race, but an even deeper diversity of where someone lives or what their interests are. I hope that there’s just more diversity all across the board because New Yorkers are not a monolith, obviously. I think that it is gonna head in that direction.”For her part, in breaking the news to her Instagram following this morning, Williams said, “Things just got EXTREMELY interesting.” We don’t doubt it.[video_embed id='1736815']RELATED: The 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' cast isn’t here for your plastic surgery questions[/video_embed]