With the emergence of more black actresses in starring roles on major network shows, and with more and more films starring black actors and actresses topping box-office charts, it looks as though black Hollywood is finally shining and getting the recognition it always deserved.
But before we continue with our applause of the faces that appear in front of the camera, it’s time we take a step back and honor those who play an important role behind the scenes in pushing black talent to the forefront of media.
As Black Enterprise’s 10th Annual Women of Power Summit approaches, we figured we’d do the honors in highlighting the black women who are making bold career moves in the realm of film and television. From writers to directors and producers, see who made our list of the leading power players behind the big and small screen.
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS! Join us for the landmark 10th Annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm, March 2—4, 2015, at Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL. This exciting, one-of-a-kind executive leadership summit is designed to train, equip and encourage women to become industry leaders, learn career strategies, and discover proven work—life balance techniques. Register Now! https://blackenterprise.com/wps
Mara Brock Akil
As creator and executive producer of the UPN series Girlfriends,
Akil is credited for giving several black actors and actresses a shot at being on a successful television show. After nearly eight years on TV, Akil followed up Girlfriends with the series The Game, which can now be seen on BET. With The Game going into its eighth successful season, Akil has also created another drama television series for BET, Being Mary Jane, whose 90-minute pilot created such a buzz that it was renewed for a second season before its first season even premiered.
Ava DuVernay
As the first African American woman to win the Best Director Prize at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival for her feature film Middle of Nowhere, DuVernay is proving that you will be seeing a lot more of her name in the coming years.
Having directed an episode of Scandal and with several short plays under her belt, DuVernay has also been tasked with directing the 2014 film Selma starring Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr., and several other top actors.
Gina Prince-Bythewood
As an award-winning writer, producer, and director, Prince-Bythewood is the creative genius behind many of your favorite films including Love & Basketball and the Secret Life of Bees. Her latest highly anticipated film Beyond the Lights will premiere on the opening night of the Urbanworld Film Festival and is set to be released Nov. 14 in theaters across the country.
Julie Dash
Dash’s 1992 film Daughters of the Dust was the first full-length film created by a black woman that had general theatrical release in the United States. In 2004, the Library of Congress placed Daughters of the Dust in the National Film Registry alongside 400 other American films that are preserved as National Treasures.
In addition to the success of her critically aclaimed 1992 film, Dash is also responsible for directing the 2002 The Rosa Parks Story.
Shonda Rhimes
As the creator of ABC’s hit show Scandal, Rhimes seems to be the go-to woman to work with in Hollywood when you want a winning project. This fall, ABC will be making Thursday night “Shonda night,” with back-to-back new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and her new show, How to Get Away With Murder. But don’t think Rhimes isn’t about getting the proper coins for her hard work, as it’s been reported that the award-winning producer has inked a new four-year deal worth eight figures with ABC.
Stephanie Allain
As former vice president of production at Columbia Pictures and president of Jim Henson Pictures, Allain is responsible for launching the careers of several filmmakers including John Singleton, whose 1991 film Boyz in the Hood
was personally pitched by Allain to Columbia executives.In 2003, Allain launched her own company, Homegrown Films, and has produced Hustle & Flow and Something New.
Debra Martin Chase
Chase is making strides in Hollywood as the first African American female producer to have her own deal at a major studio. A graduate of Harvard University, Chase is the CEO of Martin Chase Productions, a Walt Disney Co.-affiliated production company. Under her own production company, Chase has worked on several award-winning projects including The Princess Diaries, The Cheetah Girls, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, and Sparkle, just to name a few.
Chase also shared her keys to success on an entrepreneur’s panel at Black Enterprise’s 7th Annual Women of Power Summit alongside model Beverly Johnson.
Amma Asante
This British screenwriter and film director has won several awards for her work, including The Time’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year award in 2005 and the Alfred Dunhill UK Film Talent Award at the 2004 London Film Festival for her achievements as an emerging British writer/director. Asante is responsible for creating films such as A Way of Life
and Belle, which have received great reviews from critics, placing her on the industry’s radar as a director to watch.Neema Barnette
Known as the first African American woman sitcom director, Barnette has worked on a number of popular shows including A Different World, The Cosby Show, Gilmore Girls, and 7th Heaven. She was also the director of Bishop T.D. Jakes’s film Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day, and is the CEO of her own production company, Harlem Girl Productions Corp.
Darnell Martin
Martin’s 1994 debut film I Like It Like That made her the first African American woman to direct a studio feature. Since then, Martin has gone on to make history with other projects including films like Prison Song and Cadillac Records, in addition to directing episodes on TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Law & Order.
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS! Join us for the landmark 10th Annual Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit hosted by State Farm, March 2—4, 2015, at Fort Lauderdale Harbor Beach Marriott Resort & Spa, Fort Lauderdale, FL. This exciting, one-of-a-kind executive leadership summit is designed to train, equip and encourage women to become industry leaders, learn career strategies, and discover proven work—life balance techniques. Register Now! https://blackenterprise.com/wps