On Tuesday, February 13, 2018, The Paley Center for Media in Los Angeles gathered illustrious African American showrunners, creators and executive producers to talk about the difficulties African-American writers/producers face when trying to break into and advance in television. Everything from the push back from networks to the multiple revision of script pilots to fit a networks culture was discussed.
The guests on the panel include Cheo Hodari Coker-Creator/Executive Producer/Showrunner of Luke Cage, Courtney Kemp Agboh-Creator/Executive Producer/Showrunner of Power, Janine Sherman Barrois-Executive Producer/Showrunner of Claws, Justin Simien-Creator/Executive Producer of Dear White People. Karin Gist-Executive Producer/Showrunner of Star, and Prentice Penny– Executive Producer/Showrunner of Insecure. The panel was moderated by Nischelle Turner-Host/Correspondent of Entertainment Tonight.
Speaking to a packed auditorium, panelists shed light on the personal setbacks they faced as they moved up the ladder in their career and how they were able to push through them.
“There were a lot of rooms and people I was not able to able to reach or get into before the success of Claws,” says Janine Sherman Barrois, executive producer of Claws. “I think its all about proving yourself and demanding that you belong to be in those rooms.”
While pushing through these barriers as people of color, panelists also talked about how important it is to have creative freedom from networks in order for them to push out the content they really want.
“I think HBO has been great on that, giving us their feedback but also trusting us to give them their best show,” says Prentice Penny, Executive producer/Showrunner of Insecure. “When you do a network show, you’re trying to hit 20-30 million viewers every week. I think the one thing about being where we are on cable or digital or streaming, their not worried about getting numbers, they just want conversation, they want the eyeballs and doing something that feels different and interesting. You’re not worried about the masses, you just want to be your true, authentic self and I feel that just yields a different kind of show.”
Panelists also talked about how their personal and cultural experiences shaped some of their show’s viewpoints.
“Growing up in Houston for me, we just have a casualness about our extreme ambition,” says Justin Simien-Creator/Executive Producer of Dear White People. There’s a lot of creative and passionate people out there. My friends growing up was every race, sexuality, I just felt open there and I felt like that mix of culture really benefited me in my writing.”
As African-Americans strive to advance in television, there’s one thing that was made clear during this panel-never forget to be your true authentic self no matter what room you’re in.
EURweb’s Maurita Salkey got a chance to speak with some of the panelists of the event, via the video above.
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