Age: 42
female
Lena Waithe (/weɪθ/; born May 17, 1984) is an American actress, producer, and screenwriter. She is the creator of the Showtime drama series The Chi (2018–present) and the BET comedy series Boomerang (2019–20) and Twenties (2020–21). She also wrote and produced the crime film Queen & Slim (2019) and is the executive producer of the horror anthology series Them (2021–present). Waithe gained recognition for her role in the Netflix comedy-drama series Master of None (2015–2021) and became the first African-American woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 2017 for writing the show's "Thanksgiving" episode, which was loosely based on her personal experience of coming out to her mother. She has also appeared in Steven Spielberg's 2018 adventure film Ready Player One and the HBO series Westworld. In 2023, she was nominated for Best Play at the 76th Tony Awards, her production work on the sketch-comedy play Ain't No Mo'. Waithe was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2018 and was included on Fast Company's Queer 50 list in 2021 and 2022. Description above from the Wikipedia article Lena Waithe, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Lena Waithe
Writer
for Writer in Fire and Desire: The Teena Marie Story
Suggested by kamsismith
Teena Marie's life is a story of passion, resilience, and revolution. Born Mary Christine Brockert, her journey begins as a musically gifted yet overlooked young girl in the working-class neighborhoods of California. Her path takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the protégé of the enigmatic and volatile Rick James. Together, they create magic on stage, culminating in their iconic duet, "Fire and Desire," which sets the music world ablaze. But Teena's story is more than just her rise to stardom. The series explores her relentless fight against racial and gender barriers, her groundbreaking lawsuit against her record label to secure artistic control, and her ability to bridge cultural divides with her undeniable authenticity. Her personal life is marked by triumphs and challenges, from the highs of motherhood and Grammy nominations to the struggles with substance abuse and the heartbreak of losing Rick James. Through a soundtrack of unforgettable hits like "Lovergirl," "Square Biz," and "Out on a Limb," Fire and Desire weaves Teena’s personal and professional evolution with the vibrant cultural shifts of the '70s, '80s, and '90s. Each episode offers a mix of powerful performances, intimate moments, and behind-the-scenes drama that will captivate both lifelong fans and newcomers alike.
