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Home • Celebrity

Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers

From front-facing stars to behind-the-scenes powerhouses, these are the forces to reckon with in film and TV.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
By Aramide Tinubu · Updated March 9, 2022

Just a few short years ago, the entertainment industry was stifling creatives of color. Now, Black women in powerful positions—from directors’ chairs to C-suites—are presenting fresh narratives and taking their rightful place in the field. As Hollywood catches up to our expertise, we’re showing the world who we really are.

Meet the producers who are setting the standard today.

01
Nkechi Okoro Carroll
All American: Homecoming Known for: Receiving an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series for the All American episode “Hussle & Motivate.”
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
02
Leigh Davenport
Run the World Known for: Creating the Starz series and writing the Netflix film The Perfect Find.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
03
Sheila Ducksworth
President, CBS/NAACP production partnership Known For: Overseeing development of diverse stories.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
04
Janice Duncan
A Love Song for Latasha Known for: Creating firm Derivative Works Inc. to tell stories centering Black life.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
05
Adanne Ebo
Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul Known For: Creating one of Sundance’s must-see films with twin sister Adamma.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
06
Gabrielle Glore
Sylvie’s Love Known for: Serving as Festival Director for Urbanworld Film Festival.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
07
Regina Y. Hicks
The Upshaws Known for: Creating a comedy series for Barack and Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground production company.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
08
Janet Jackson
JANET Known For: Telling her story in a two-part A&E documentary.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
09
Queen Latifah
The Equalizer Known for: Executive producing and starring in the reboot of the 1980s crime drama.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
10
Talleah Bridges McMahon
My Name is Pauli Murray, Through Our Eyes Known for: Award-winning documentaries on major TV networks.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
11
Tracy Oliver
Harlem, First Wives Club Known for: Being the first Black woman screenwriter whose film grossed more than $100 million.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
12
Nina Parker
Nightly Pop Known for: Being an Emmy-nominated talk-show host.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
13
Issa Rae
Insecure, Rap Sh*t Known for: Signing a five-year deal with WarnerMedia following the success of her Emmy-winning HBO series Insecure.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
14
Natasha Rothwell
Insecure, The White Lotus Known for: Inking a multiyear deal with ABC Signature to develop new TV projects via her Big Hattie Productions.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
15
Lena Waithe
Twenties, The Chi Known for: Being the first Black woman to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. When she’s not writing or producing TV and films (Queen & Slim), Waithe can be seen in front of the camera acting.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
16
Shayla Cowan
Chief of Staff, Will Packer Media Known For: Co-executive producing the 2022 Academy Awards.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
17
Kerry Washington
Founder, Simpson Street Known For: Executive Producing the upcoming Hulu legal drama Reasonable Doubt.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Producers
TOPICS:  Issa Rae Janet Jackson Lena Waithe Natasha Rothwell Nina Parker Queen Latifah Tracy Oliver