Celebrating Black TV Creators

By Shakiel Mahjouri. 8 Feb 2022 5:21 PM

Television is alive and well. That is due in no small part to fantastic Black creators spearheading new ideas and revitalizing old ones. Meet nearly 40 creators, from veterans like Tyler Perry and Shonda Rhimes to newer minds like Issa Rae and Donald Glover, who are pushing TV forward.

Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Vulture

Photo: Matthias Clamer/FX

Photo: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic/Getty

Photo: Ã‚Â© OConnor / AFF-USA.com

Photo: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM

Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool/CP Images

Photo: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection

Photo: CP Images

Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Photo: Ã‚Â© OConnor / AFF-USA.com

Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Photo: HBO

Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Photo: Getty

Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images for WGAW

Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images

Photo: Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images

Photo: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic

Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images

Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions

Photo: Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images for ABA

Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images

Photo: CP Images

Photo: Ã‚Â© OConnor / AFF-USA.com

Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for TBS

Photo: CP Images

Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Photo: CP Images

Photo: Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM

Photo: Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Photo: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection

Photo: Prince Williams/FilmMagic

Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage

Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for STARZ

START OVER

Next Gallery: Stars Spotted At Paris Fashion Week SS24: Zoe Kravitz, Demi Moore And Austin Butler Show Off Their Style

More Galleries

1 of 37

Issa Rae
Photo: Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Vulture
Everywhere you look, you see Issa Rae's work. The "Insecure" creator is blazing a trail everywhere she goes, working on the upcoming series"Rap Sh*t" and performing in the upcoming "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One") animated movie.
Donald Glover
Photo: Matthias Clamer/FX
What can't Donald Glover do? From charming a generation of fans on "Community" to releasing culturally impactful music as Childish Gambino, Glover is an all-around all-star. Glover flexed his creative muscles as the creator of the award-winning series "Atlanta".
Shonda Rhimes
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic/Getty
Shonda Rhimes is among the most prolific creators of television. This Hollywood heavy-hitter is responsible for creating "Grey's Anatomy", "Inventing Anna", "Private Practice", "Seattle Grace" and "Scandal". She also serves as a producer on "Bridgerton" and "Station 19", among many other shows.
Jordan Peele
Photo: Ã‚Â© OConnor / AFF-USA.com
Once known primarily for his duo with Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele has come to a premier creative mind across all genres. "Get Out" brought him to the forefront, and now he is co-creating "The Last. O.G.
Ava DuVernay
Photo: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/ABACAPRESS.COM
Ava DuVernay is a superhero when it comes to churning out high-quality content. She is the showrunner and executive producer for "DMZ", created "Cherish the Day" and "Queen Suger", and co-developed "Naomi".
Tyler Perry
Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool/CP Images
Tyler Perry needs no introduction. The goliath entertainment creator gets busier year after year. Shows he created include "Sistas", "Assisted Living", "The Oval", "Bruh" and "Ruthless".
Lena Waithe
Photo: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection
Lena Waithe has evolved into a highly-demanded creative mind since her days as part of Netflix's "Master of None". Waithe created "Twenties" and "The Chi", not to mention screenwriting the well-received romantic crime drama "Queen & Slim".
Daveed Diggs
Photo: CP Images
Daveed Diggs can do just about anything. The "Snowpiercer" and Hamilton star served as a co-creator of "Blindspotting".
John Singleton
Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
The influence of late director and actor John Singleton is still being felt. Three years after his untimely death at age 51, Singleton's "Snowfall" is set to premiere its fifth season.
Larry Wilmore
Photo: Ã‚Â© OConnor / AFF-USA.com
Larry Wilmore is keeping busy with beloved programming. "The Daily Show" correspondent created "Insecure" with Issa Rae and "Grown-Ish" with Kenya Barris.
Kenya Barris
Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Kenya Barris has been holding it down for years with "Black-ish", the beloved sitcom that has earned nearly 30 awards over the course of eight years. She also created the spin-off "Grow-ish".
Mickey Down
Photo: HBO
Mickey Down is one of the co-creators of "Industry", a British-American drama series focused on a group of young graduates working at an investment bank in London. The well-received show has been approved for a second season.
Raynelle Swilling And Teri Schaffer
Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Raynelle Swilling and Teri Schaffer are showrunners to cherish. The two creative minds spearhead Ava DuVernay's romantic drama anthology series "Cherish the Day", which is preparing for a second season on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
Leigh Davenport
Photo: Getty
Leigh Davenport is running things as the creator of comedy series "Run the World". The inaugural season received widespread critical acclaim and was quickly renewed for a sophomore run.
Ziwe Fumudoh
Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
Ziwe Fumudoh is the mind behind the late-night talk show "Ziwe". The Showtime talk show was renewed for a second season and has featured guests including Rachel Brosnahan, Lil Rel Howery and more.
Meg DeLoatch
Photo: Amy Sussman/Getty Images for WGAW
Meg DeLoatch is running "The Neighborhood". The sitcom stars Cedric the Entertainer and was recently renewed for a fifth season.
Devon Greggory
Photo: Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images
Devon Greggory is making all the right moves as showrunner of "The Game" revival. The show was renewed for a sophomore season in Feb. 2022.
Gina Yashere
Photo: Michael Yarish/CBS via Getty Images
British comedian Gina Yashere co-created "Bob Loves Abishola" with prolific television creator Chuck Lorre. The show, which was renewed for a fourth season earlier this year, is the first American sitcom to focus on a Nigerian family.
Dorian Gregory
Photo: Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic
"Charmed" actor Dorian Gregory is one of the two creators behind the "Soul Train" scripted drama show "American Soul". Fun fact, Gregory was the fourth and final permanent host of "Soul Train".
Nkechi Okoro
Photo: Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images
Nkechi Okoro knows how to make good television. The award-winning "All American" showrunner has led the show through four successful seasons on The CW.
Katori Hall
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions
Playwright Katori Hall flexes her television writing skills as the creator and showrunner of "P-Valley". An adaptation of her own play, the series has received critical acclaim.
Eric Wallace
Photo: Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images for ABA
Blink, but you won't miss the great work Eric Wallace is doing on "The Flash". The current showrunner previously made his directorial debut on "Teen Wolf".
Karin Gist
Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images
The gist of it is that Karin Gist is pretty awesome. Karin Gist and Wendy Calhoun launched "Our Kind of People" in Sept. 2021, inspired by the 1999 book of the same name.
Quinta Brunson
Photo: CP Images
Quinta Brunson is pulling double duty as the creator and star of "Abbot Elementary".
Janine Sherman Barrois
Photo: Ã‚Â© OConnor / AFF-USA.com
Janine Sherman Barrois arriving at the Fourth Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television presented by the Critics Choice Association at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel on December 6, 2021 in Los Angeles, CA.
Aaron Rahsaan Thomas
Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images
Screenwriter and producer Aaron Rahsaan Thomas is one of the co-creators behind "S.W.A.T." The reboot shares a universe with FX crime drama "The Shield".
Kevin Iso
Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for TBS
“Flatbush Misdemeanors” co-creator Kevin Iso is killing it with the critically well-received comedy series. Showtime renewed the straight-to-order series for a second season.
Diallo Riddle
Photo: CP Images
Bashir Salahuddin's co-creator Diallo Riddle deserves equal praise for bringing the comedy series to life. Executive produced by John Legend, it features fantastic cameos by Common, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish, Quincy Jones and more.
Justin Simien
Photo: Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Justin Simien is the mind behind Netflix's "Dear White People", which ran for four seasons on the streaming service. The highly-touted director is currently working on a "Haunted Mansion" remake.
Robin Thede
Photo: CP Images
Comedian Robin Thede is the heart and soul of "A Black Lady Sketch Show". Thede is the creator, showrunner, star and writer of the HBO sketch comedy series. It has been renewed for a third season..
Bashir Salahuddin
Photo: Michael Moriatis / ©IFC / Courtesy Everett Collection
Bashir Salahuddin can do a lot: he's an actor, comedian and writer. He and Diallo Riddle co-created AMC's "Sherman's Showcase", which they both star in.
Nichelle Tramble Spellman
Photo: Lionel Hahn/ABACAPRESS.COM
Truth be told, Nichelle Tramble Spellman is pretty great. She is the creator and showrunner of Apple TV+'s "Truth Be Told", which stars the fantastically talented Octavia Spencer and Aaron Paul.
Jenny Lumet
Photo: Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
Jenny Lumet is currently developing "The Man Who Fell to Earth" sci-fi series based on the 1963 novel of the same name. She is also a co-creator of the upcoming television series "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds".
Saladin Patterson
Photo: Priscilla Grant/Everett Collection
The brilliant Saladin K. Patterson has his hands full with "The Wonder Days" reboot. He also serves as showrunner for the Jordan Peele-created "The Last O.G."
Randy Huggins
Photo: Prince Williams/FilmMagic
Randy Huggins' crime drama series "BMF (Black Mafia Family") is revving up for a second season. Huggins is also rubbing shoulders with executive producer 50 Cent, a.k.a Curtis Jackson.
Courtney A. Kemp
Photo: Gregg DeGuire/WireImage
Courtney A. Kemp has all the power. The "Power" creator ran for a stellar six seasons and starred 50 Cent, Omari Hardwick and Lela Loren, among others.
Yvette Lee Bowser
Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for STARZ
"Dear White People" showrunner Yvette Lee Bowser made history in 1993 when "Living Single" became the first African-American woman to develop her own primetime series. She is also the showrunner for "Run the World".

Celebrating Black TV Creators

More Galleries

Latest Galleries