The Game Changers!
Essence gives cover love to top black women show-runners and film directors
Perched at the top is the legendary
Debbie Allen, who should not need any introduction, but among this crowd, she might . . . (director of most of the episodes of "A Different World," the woman who wanted to see you sweat on "Fame," dancer/choreographer extraordinaire of many an Academy Awards broadcast, sister of Phylicia Rashad, Dr. Catherine Avery on "Grey's Anatomy" . . .
)
To Debbie's left, standing with hand on hip, is the amazing
Mara Brock Akil, creator of "Girlfriends," "The Game," and current hit, "Being Mary Jane"
In the center, next to Mara, is the woman who owns Thursday night primetime on network television,
Shonda Rhimes . . . Enough said
.
Seated next to Shonda, on the stool, with the lovely, flowing, locks, fresh off the award circuit for her Academy Award nominated film, "Selma," is Ms.
Ava Duvernay .
And last, but not least, seated opposite Ava is the fabulous
Issa Rae, known mostly for her widely popular youtube series, "The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl." She's currently got a development deal with Shondaland in the works
.
Slay
.