#BlackGirlMagic: The Black Women Who Reshaped Television In 2016 - Page 14

Black Women Who Dominated TV

TV in 2016 has been all about black excellence. This was the year that black people really broke through the glass ceiling to prominence. And the people leading the charge were black women. These black women dominated and showed off their excellence all year.

So let’s take some time to celebrate these women and salute them as they continue on their path to greatness.

Issa Rae – “Insecure” has become one of those shows everyone is talking about.

Ava Duvernay – Queen Sugar is phenomenal. It’s incredible television and it’s all her vision.

Oprah – She’s executive produced Queen Sugar and helped it come to life.

Thandie Newton – She’s been killing it on Westworld. Literally. And naked.

Shonda Rimes – She’s a perennial member of this list. Her shows have been the blueprint for sure.

Viola Davis – Give her another Emmy.

Courtney Kemp Agboh – She’s the creator-showrunner behind Power and has made the show a major success.

Mara Brock Akil – She’s one half of the power couple behind Being Mary Jane.

Kerry Washington – You know she belongs here, still going strong with Scandal.

Rutina Wesley – She’s one of the breakout stars from Queen Sugar and we wouldn’t be surprised if awards were in her future.

Angela Rye – She’s reshaping the way news is presented by speaking for us and being the voice of the election.

Dawn-Lyen Gardner – She’s the star of Queen Sugar and should be looking at major roles going forward.

Aja Naomi King – She’s another How To Get Away With Murder star making a name for herself.

Taraji P. Henson – Hey, she’s the star of Empire.

Aisha Tyler – She’s the star of CSI which is a huge show on CBS.

Tracee Ellis-Ross – She’s the Black-ish queen and will be for a long time.

BROOKLYN, NY – SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) Jay Ellis, Prentice Penny, Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, and Melina Matsoukas attend HBO’s ‘Insecure’ Block Party on September 25, 2016 in Brooklyn City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for HBO)

Yvonne Orji – She’s Insecure’s breakout star.