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
Janine Sherman Barrois
Claws, The Kings of Napa
Known for: Winning an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series.
02
Yvette Lee Bowser
Run the World
Known for: Being the first Black woman to create and run a TV series (Living Single).
03
Quinta Brunson
Abbott Elementary
Known for: Self-
produced social media content that led to her writing and starring in her own sitcom.
04
Shonda Rhimes
Bridgerton, Inventing Anna
Known for: Creating and executive-
producing Award–winning and Emmy-nominated dramas under her production company, Shondaland.
05
Maisha Closson
Truth Be Told
Known For: Writing and producing series like The L Word: Generation Q and How to Get Away With Murder.
06
Courtney Kemp
Power Book II: Ghost
Known for: Creating the Power universe at Starz before landing a megawatt Netflix deal in 2021.
07
Katori Hall
P-Valley
Known for: Creating P-Valley and Tina: The Tina Turner Musical.
08
Karin Gist
Our Kind of People
Known for: Serving as Executive Producer and showrunner of Star and Mixed-ish, but her big break came as a coproducer on Girlfriends for six years.
09
Robin Thede
A Black Lady Sketch Show
Known for: Being the first Black woman to serve as head writer on a late-night talk show. Her HBO series ABLSS won an Emmy for outstanding picture editing for variety programming.
