coliyahnnah the pear princess

Lena Waithe. Leslie Jones. Tiffany Haddish. Robin Thede.

Over the last few years, the list of recognizable Black women comedy writers has started growing — finally — thanks in large part to crucial conversations fostered by social campaigns like #OscarsSoWhite, #EmmysSoBlack, and #SheReady.

But — no surprise here — there’s still an incredibly long way to go.

While Lena Waithe was the belle of the ball at this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards by becoming the first Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing (for the brilliant Master of None episode “Thanksgiving”), we must not forget the troubling fact that she was also the first Black woman ever nominated for the award.

And while Robin Thede is now hosting her own late night show (The Rundown with Robin Thede, which premiered October 12), we similarly must not forget that she is the only Black woman doing so, and one of only a handful of Black women who’s ever been given this opportunity.

Given our country’s current socio-political landscape, the need for and potential impact of Black women comedy writers is greater than ever — which means we must continue to further the dialogue, to fight for change.

To keep the conversation going, I interviewed four Black women comedy writers to discuss their unique brands of funny, diversity in the writer’s room, the Emmys, and what it’s like to work in television as a Black woman. Our illustrious panel includes:

Actor-Comedian-Writer Ashley Nicole Black - Emmy winner (Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special) for her writing on Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

Writer Amber Ruffin - Writer for Late Night With Seth Meyers and Comedy Central’s Detroiters

Actor-Writer Diona Reasonover - Writer for I Love Dick and Adam Ruins Everything

RESCATES. Unos 255 migrantes fueron rescatados durante la noche en el Mediterráneo frente a las costas de Libia, justo antes de que el mal tiempo azotara la zona. La ONG española Proactiva Open Arms recogió un bote de goma que transportaba a 134 personas. Un barco militar de la operación europea contra el contrabando también rescató a otros 121 personas a bordo de dos barcos. (AFP)