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).
02
Thembi Banks
Love Life, Young Wild Free
Known for: Being tapped to direct Paramount Players’
Assisted Living.
03
Neema Barnette
Harlem, Naomi
Known for: Being the first Black woman to direct a prime-time sitcom.
04
Halle Berry
Bruised
Known for: Earning a multi-title Netflix deal following her directorial debut.
05
Janicza Bravo
Kindred, Zola
Known for: Directing the “Juneteenth” episode of Atlanta and the adapted Twitter saga Zola.
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.
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.
08
Cheryl Dunye
Y: The Last Man
Known for: Being the first Black lesbian to direct a feature film.
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.
10
Adamma Ebo
Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul
Known For: Writing and directing short films.
11
Karena Evans
Snowfall, P-Valley, Gossip Girl
Known for: Directing the pilot episodes of P-Valley and HBO Max’s Gossip Girl.
12
Misha Green
The Mother, Tomb Raider
Known for: Enthralling historical dramas.
13
Sanaa Lathan
On the Come Up
Known for: Making her directorial debut in the film adaptation of Angie Thomas’s YA novel.
14
Tina Mabry
Women of the Movement, Pose
Known for: Emerging as a sought-after filmmaker following her feature film debut, Mississippi Damned.
15
Stella Meghie
The Photograph, The Weekend
Known for: Being tapped by Disney to helm the upcoming Tiana series.
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.
17
Numa Perrier
Jezebel, The Perfect Find
Known for: Being tapped to produce and star in the Audre Lorde biopic The Erotic.
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.
19
Gina Prince-Bythewood
The Woman King
Known for: Versatile storytelling that draws from the lived experiences of real-life Black women.
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.
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.
