The Caste of Beula
In the glittering yet cutthroat world of Blackberry Talent Agency, Beula Johnson reigns as a self-made powerhouse—a visionary who has transformed Black talent into global icons. But behind her meticulously crafted facade lies a lifetime of pain: childhood abandonment, broken relationships, and a relentless hunger for validation. When her estranged wife, Ari Jones, attempts to wrest half of the company from her during their impending divorce, Beula must confront not only the legal battle but the emotional scars that have defined her ambition.
As Beula fights to protect her legacy, she becomes entangled in a web of betrayal, loyalty, and power struggles. Sterling Miles, her former lover and fiercely competent ally, returns with unresolved tensions that threaten to unravel Beula’s composure. Meanwhile, Abebi Ibeh, a Nigerian tech mogul and silent partner, plays her own high-stakes game, forcing Beula to make dangerous compromises. At the same time, Beula’s connection to her estranged mother, Ketsie, re-emerges unexpectedly, complicating her carefully constructed identity.
Across the stage of corporate boardrooms, opulent galas, and megachurch pulpits, the series explores the intersection of power, cultural identity, and generational trauma. Beula’s climb to the top has cost her dearly—her humanity, her relationships, and perhaps her soul. But as the foundations of her empire crack, the question remains: Can an empire flourish on a foundation of pain?
-
DIONNE L Roberts-EmeghaWriterThe Raising of an OG
-
Project Type:Television Script
-
Number of Pages:63
-
Country of Origin:United States
-
Language:English
-
First-time Screenwriter:No
-
Student Project:No
Dionne is an attorney, mediator, and screenwriter with a passion for crafting stories that explore power, resilience, and the complexities of human relationships. With a diverse background spanning public service, political campaigns, nonprofit advocacy, and conflict resolution, Dionne’s professional experiences have shaped her sharp, emotionally driven storytelling.
Her work delves into the tensions of ambition, legacy, and love, often drawing inspiration from her own life. From managing high-stakes elections to leading the constitutionally mandated census in Chicago's eight-state region during the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19, Dionne has navigated spaces where conflict and resolution intersect—a theme central to her writing.
Her screenplay The Caste of Beula, a series drama about betrayal and ambition in the entertainment industry, has garnered attention for its layered characters and powerful themes. The project reflects Dionne’s ability to balance raw emotional depth with high-stakes drama, mirroring her initial screenplays, Toxic and the Raising of an OG, which earned her finalist placements in multiple writing competitions. She continues to refine her craft through industry training and creative projects, with the ultimate goal of bringing The Caste of Beula to life on screen.
As a child, I heard taunts directed at certain girls —“Black Beula(s).” The term carried a silent weight, marking those with the darkest skin or the most Afrocentric features. It was more than a name—it was a quiet dismissal of those deemed as having way “too much” —too black, too strong-willed, too defiant, too angry, too funny-looking. Beneath those labels lay a deeper truth that symbolized a caste of the unwanted, the uncelebrated, the unseen. A haunting reminder of the plantation’s legacy, where beauty and worth were measured by proximity to whiteness.
I understood what it meant to feel different. As an overweight child, I, too, suffered abuse and carried a heightened sensitivity to the world around me. I internalized the same feelings of rejection and unworthiness. Those early wounds—of feeling overlooked, unwanted, and exploited—followed me into adulthood, manifesting in low self-esteem and poor boundaries.
The Caste of Beula was born from my personal journey of healing. As I’ve studied attachment styles, practiced mindful meditation, sought counseling, and redefined my relationship with my past, I began to examine the ways I hid my wounds beneath the mask of happiness and success. Beula is a reflection of that struggle—a woman who has clawed her way to the top yet finds herself alone and unfulfilled because she hasn’t done the inner work to heal.
Beula’s external success and internal brokenness highlight that unresolved wounds influence our drive, relationships, and sense of self-worth. It also invites the audience to consider whether success born from rejection and pain can be fulfilling or ultimately self-destructive.
At its core, The Caste of Beula poses a fundamental question: “Can you build an empire on the foundation of pain?” I continue to wrestle with this question, and through this story, I hope others will examine their own definitions of success, identity, and healing.