[WATCH] Ava DuVernay Talks About Having an All-Female-Directed Show

Award-winning director Ava DuVernay is never one to shy away from pushing the envelope for Hollywood to be more inclusive of all people and cultures.

After speaking earlier this week at the Sundance Film Festival about her dislike for the word “diversity” and referring to it as “a medicinal word that has no real emotion,” the Selma director spoke to Reel Black about her plans to continue to take matters in her own hands by providing opportunities for those who are oftentimes underrepresented.

In her new show Queen Sugar that’s set to premiere on OWN network, DuVernay said she will have an all-female directorial team for the 13-episode series.

“It’s an exciting time to just invite women into the show and really try to tell the story of this family of really strong women who do an amazing thing in St. Joseph, Louisiana,” said DuVernay.

The show, which marks DuVernay’s first television project, will star True Blood actress Rutina Wesley and Oprah Winfrey, making it Winfrey’s first acting gig on OWN.

“[It’s] the first television show I’ve created,” she said. “I jokingly say I’m getting my ‘Shonda on’ but I don’t even know how she juggles all those shows because this show is wearing me out in the best way. It’s a lot, but it’s fun.”

Watch the full interview with DuVernay in the video below.