Micro-Series: Urban One Launches 'Power & Influence'

Urban One has released a new scripted microseries titled Power & Influence, which centers on the professional and personal conflicts at a Black creative agency in Atlanta. The project, distributed on #BOSSIPTok, features a cast including Ivory Shields and Tanazia Madan. Each episode runs for approximately 90 seconds, a format designed to deliver rapid narrative revelations.

The series follows a group of professionals dealing with shifting loyalties and romantic entanglements. A central plotline involves a deepfake scandal that forces the agency's staff to confront questions about digital authenticity and public perception. The short runtime requires the production to pack significant emotional depth and dramatic twists into a limited timeframe.

Ivory Shields portrays Nia Whitmore, a boss character described as unapologetic about her professional ambition. Shields stated that Nia is highly protective of the legacy she intends to build in her career. The character often allows her professional priorities to impact her personal relationships, a dynamic Shields acknowledged during a recent interview.

"She is very protective about the legacy that she wants to leave behind in her career," Shields said. She noted that while Nia attempts to remain grounded through therapy, her relationships often suffer. Shields characterized Nia as villain-adjacent but argued that the character deserves compassion. This perspective addresses the societal tendency to judge ambitious women more harshly than their male counterparts.

Tanazia Madan plays Zuri Reynolds, a new employee at the agency who aims to start fresh. Madan explained that Zuri struggles to balance her desire for reinvention with old instincts. The character initially observes the workplace dynamics before realizing she must become more assertive to survive. Madan described Zuri's journey as a process of tapping in and locking in to her new environment.

"We always have the new person we're trying to be and our old ways that creep back up," Madan said. She encouraged viewers to pay attention to Zuri's subtle reactions and evolving confidence. The character's growth is not linear, and her past continues to influence her current decisions at the agency.

A key scene in the series features a confrontation between Nia and Zuri. In this sequence, Nia speaks down to Zuri, prompting Zuri to stand her ground. Shields identified this moment as a turning point in the characters' power dynamic. The exchange includes a specific reference to Zuri's background, with Nia stating, "The South Side didn't teach you standards."

Zuri responds with the line, "You know what the South Side taught me? Who not to play with!" Both actresses cited this scene as a favorite during production. Madan recalled the satisfaction of finally giving Zuri a voice to push back against her boss. Shields joked that the scene marks the moment Zuri developed a backbone.

The series also examines the impact of artificial intelligence on professional reputations. Madan defended Zuri's approach to the deepfake conflict, noting that her character is familiar with the technology and can recognize warning signs. Shields explained that Nia's approach reflects someone less familiar with the tech but deeply concerned about maintaining control over her brand and legacy.

"At the end of the day, it's about protecting my brand. It's about protecting my legacy. It's about maintaining control," Shields said. She added that Nia's determination to preserve her reputation drives her decisions, even when those choices create additional complications for the agency. The production team worked to keep every second of the 90-second episodes filled with attention-grabbing drama.