'The Neighborhood' showrunner explains how she expertly called out cultural appropriation on her show

• The comedy's showrunner Meg Deloatch told Insider she did not want to "preach" about the topic.
• Instead, she told Insider she wanted to thoughtfully explore the subject during season four.

Earlier this season on "The Neighborhood," viewers were introduced to a white educator who was so obsessed with Black culture that she pretended to be Black.

Portrayed by actress Nicole Sullivan ("MADtv," "The King of Queens"), Alexis is a character who lies to Gemma Johnson (Beth Behrs) about being Black to get a grant-funded position earmarked for a Black teacher. If that wasn't egregious enough, Alexis uses Blackfishing to complete the con.

Eventually she's called out by Johnson and her neighbor Tina Butler, played by Tichina Arnold ("Martin," "Everybody Hates Chris").

Showrunner Meg Deloatch ("Family Reunion," "Fuller House") told Insider why she introduced the character and the topic of cultural appropriation on the CBS comedy, which follows a Midwestern white family after they've moved into a Black neighborhood.

Deloatch emphasized that she wanted to speak to "​​those who are not as well versed" in what happens often in marginalized communities.

"It happens to Black women more than it does any other group," she continued. "It just does because nobody feels like we're visible enough to matter."

Meg Deloatch said she wanted to talk about cultural appropriation but didn't want to be preachy

Deloatch said that although she wanted to incorporate this storyline into the show's fourth season, she was also really thoughtful about her approach - especially since it's a primetime show.

"I want to examine it. I want to make fun of it, but I don't necessarily want to preach," she added. "People are going to do what they do, and I feel like preaching would just turn them off. Who wants to hear a sermon if it ain't Sunday?"

The industry veteran said she chose to "talk about this because it affects me. It affects people like me and I can't make you care. That's going to be a person, a viewer's choice, but I'm going to bring it to you in a way that at least I know I didn't turn you off."

Deloatch, who's the first Black woman to serve as a showrunner on CBS, said it's a "really cool opportunity" to elevate these types of issues because she understands the reach of a network TV show.

"On any given week, you're talking about things that are important to you, and again, not even just racial things," she said. "There are a lot of people out there that you're connecting with. And either you're making them mad or maybe you're making them think or you're making them feel comforted and heard and seen."

By the episode's end, Gemma relies on Tina to help her uncover the truth behind Alexis. And the neighbor is careful to request help from Tina - not demand it.

"These characters, they love each other. That's the most important factor in these neighbors' lives," Deloatch said.

"They have different cultures and backgrounds, races? Yes. Does that come up sometimes? Yes, it should. It does in life, right?" she continued. "But when it does come up, we're able to handle it, like you hopefully can with your friends from other groups."

"The Neighborhood," also starring Cedric the Entertainer and Max Greenfield, airs on CBS Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.