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Home · Entertainment

Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors

From influential dealmakers to a new era of leading ladies, they are forces to reckon with in film and TV—and they’re making things happen
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
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 leaders who are setting the standard today.

01
Sophia Nahli Allison
A Love Song for Latasha Known for: Receiving a 2021 Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary (Short Subject).
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
02
Thembi Banks
Love Life, Young Wild Free Known for: Being tapped to direct Paramount Players’
 Assisted Living.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
03
Neema Barnette
Harlem, Naomi Known for: Being the first Black woman to direct a prime-time sitcom.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
04
Halle Berry
Bruised Known for: Earning a multi-title Netflix deal following her directorial debut.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
05
Janicza Bravo
Kindred, Zola Known for: Directing the “Juneteenth” ­episode of Atlanta and the adapted Twitter saga Zola.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
06
Chinonye Chukwu
Clemency, Till Known for: Being the first Black woman to win the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize at Sundance Film Festival in 2019.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
07
Nia DaCosta
Candyman, The Marvels Known for: Being the first Black woman to have a No. 1 movie at the box office during opening weekend.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
08
Cheryl Dunye
Y: The Last Man Known for: Being the first Black lesbian to direct a feature film.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
09
Ava DuVernay
Colin in Black and White, Naomi, Selma Known for: Being the first Black woman director to have her film nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
10
Adamma Ebo
Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul Known For: Writing and directing short films.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
11
Karena Evans
Snowfall, P-Valley, Gossip Girl Known for: Directing the pilot episodes of P-Valley and HBO Max’s Gossip Girl.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
12
Misha Green
The Mother, Tomb Raider Known for: Enthralling historical dramas.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
13
Sanaa Lathan
On the Come Up Known for: Making her directorial debut in the film adaptation of Angie Thomas’s YA novel.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
14
Tina Mabry
Women of the Movement, Pose Known for: Emerging as a sought-after filmmaker following her feature film debut, Mississippi Damned.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
15
Stella Meghie
The Photograph, The Weekend Known for: Being tapped by Disney to helm the upcoming Tiana series.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
16
Nana Mensah
Queen of Glory, The Chair Known for: Winning the Tribeca Film Festival Award for Best New Narrative Director and a Special Jury Prize for Artistic Expression.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
17
Numa Perrier
Jezebel, The Perfect Find Known for: Being tapped to produce and star in the Audre Lorde biopic The Erotic.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
18
Dawn Porter
Fifty/50 Known for: Human rights-based works that have touched on abortion, the Tulsa Massacre, and the life of John Lewis.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
19
Gina Prince-Bythewood
The Woman King Known for: Versatile storytelling that draws from the lived experiences of real-life Black women.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
20
Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, The Gilded Age Known for: Alluring direction of TV dramas that center Black women.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
21
Tasha Smith
BMF Known for: Extensive directing credits (P-Valley, BMF, Our Kind of People) after acting in several Tyler Perry films and Jumping the Broom.
Black Women In Hollywood To Know: Directors
TOPICS:  Ava DuVernay ESSENCE Black Women In Hollywood Halle Berry misha green Sanaa Lathan Tasha Smith

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