Exclusive Interview

‘The Talk’s Sheryl Underwood Reveals Why She’s ‘Proud’ Of the Progress BLM Has Made Thus Far

AP
En esta imagen facilitada por la Oficina Ejecutiva de la Alcalde, la alcalde del Distrito de Columbia, Muriel Bowser, observa desde la azotea del hotel Hay Adams, cerca de la Casa Blanca, las palabras "Las Vidas de los Negros Importan" que trabajadores de la ciudad y activistas pintaron con grandes letras amarillas en una calle en Washington, el viernes 5 de junio de 2020 EEUU-PROTESTAS-DC, Washington, United States - 05 Jun 2020
New street signs read Black Lives Matter on 16th Street near the White House, where there have been of seven days of protests over the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody, in Washington, DC, USA, 05 June 2020. Earlier in the day DC Mayor Muriel Bowser renamed that section of 16th Street Black Lives Matter Plaza. George Floyd protest in Washington, DC, USA - 05 Jun 2020
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has Black Lives Matter painted on the street leading to the White House and renamed the street Black Lives Matter Plaza Black Lives Matter protests, Washington, DC, USA - 05 Jun 2020
'Black Lives Matter' is painted on the pavement of 16th Street near the White House, the location of seven days of protests in DC over the death of George Floyd, who died in police custody, in Washington, DC, USA, 05 June 2020. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser later renamed that section of 16th Street, 'Black Lives Matter Plaza.' Police abuse protest in wake of George Floyd death in Minneapolis, Washington, USA - 05 Jun 2020 View Gallery View Gallery 13 Photos.
Senior Reporter

‘The Talk’s Sheryl Underwood is happy with the progress made in this country because of the Black Lives Matter movement — but she knows there’s a lot more that needs to be done!

Having joined CBS’ The Talk in 2011, Sheryl Underwood, 57, is known for her big personality and stating her opinions. February’s Black History Month has been no exception, especially when it comes to discussing the progress made under the Black Lives Matter movement in our country. “I am very proud,” Sheryl told HollywoodLife EXCLUSIVELY during an episode of TVTalk on Instagram Live on Feb. 22.

The Black Lives Matter movement kicked off across the world during the summer of 2020. After the horrific murders by police officers against unarmed, black Americans, Breonna Taylor, 26, and George Floyd, 46, protests over their deaths began happening across the United States and elsewhere against police violence towards Black people. While most protests were peaceful, several  led to violent rioting and looting that divided our nation even further.

For Sheryl, getting your voice heard in a positive manner will always be critical to bringing about change. “First you have to march, and that gets everybody’s attention,” Sheryl said to HL, going on to break down the other bodies involved in bringing about much-needed change — including contact Attorney Generals. “And the legislative initiative. The fact with the Breonna Taylor situation and you think you’d have an Attorney General that would be cognitive of this, recognize this, that means more work needs to be done because now people understood the Grand Jury process. Now they’re understanding, ‘I can petition and I want my testimony,'” she went on.

“What I was told about this case was going to be made public by someone who’s name they may not know. That grand jury did what they needed to do,” Sheryl added. “Now we know the system needs to be changed. One, for Black Lives Matter, I’m really proud of this movement that became a global phenomenon. And then you learn the treatment of black people in other countries was similar and people had never heard about systemic racism.”

Systemic racism is also an important topic that Sheryl is passionate about. On Jan. 6, a group of white Trump supporters stormed the US capital in Washington DC, resulting in even more conversation when it comes systemic racism in our country. Although the videos are hard to watch, Sheryl believes these chain of events have gotten people talking. “People didn’t want to address white supremacy and law enforcement and now you see the capital being over-run by white supremacists and even white people are going, “Hell no!” Sheryl added. “And now that I know, I’m going to do something about it. That’s what it’s all about.”

Black History Month is just the beginning for Sheryl, and she’s happy to see it being celebrated during the month of February and beyond. “Black History Month is the start of the journey but it doesn’t mean it needs to stop,” Sheryl said. “Black history is being made each and every day.” Catch Sheryl and her co-stars on The Talk which airs weekdays on CBS at 2 p.m. EST/1 p.m. PST.