Pride Spotlight: Hollywood Producer Kenita Nichols Interview!
Written By: Philip Johnson
Kenita Nichols is a producer, writer, director and actress out here in Hollywood! She has helped produced several series such as America’s Next Top Model, Breaking Big, Shark Tank, etc. I got the opportunity to meet this powerhouse at an event hosted by Issa Rae and Deniese Davis’s company, Color Creative, connecting minority filmmakers making big strides in the industry. With us both being queer and from Detroit, we instantly vibed.
I’m so happy that I got to interview Kenita on her journey as a Black, queer woman taking the entertainment industry by storm. Enjoy!
You’re from Detroit like me! How has the city influenced your career?
Yeah, just like you I am a Detroit native too! Growing up in Detroit helped me to develop a strong sense of community and work ethic. Growing up in the city of Detroit and traveling also afforded me experiences to understand the global influence of our city. Similar to the city, as Detroit natives we carry untapped originality with us. We are used to being in a constant cycle of rebirth because Detroit landscapes taught us invention.
How did you discover your Producing talent?
I tapped into my production savvy during my collegial studies at Michigan State University, I became a local NPR news corespondent through my college and eventually started producing video games for a class project. My professor pointed out my gifts and encouraged me to consider producing video games. With that things were in motion and I ended up working with Electronic Arts in Silicon Valley for a while. I later moved onward to LA in order to really get involved at the epicenter of story telling and visual production.
How did you get your start in Hollywood?
I put my feet to the pavement in order to get my start in Hollywood. I researched, walked in production spaces and touted my resume around town until I came across someone who saw my dedication and passion for what it is, work ethic. Akin to what I shared earlier, growing up in Detroit, helped me to develop a strong sense of grit and a post supervisor with Mark Burnett’s team identified with my approach and felt inclined to give me a shot! The show was, Celebrity Apprentice All -Star Season 13. Although nothing about getting my start was easy and I worked multiple productions, along with odd jobs in tandem, I felt like I was soaring and smashing meaningful goals.
What are your favorite productions you’ve helped produce? Why?
My favorite shows I’ve helped to produce include, Shark Tank, America’s Next Top Model, GQs Most Expensivest Shit, Breaking Big a series on PBS and the upcoming Netflix documentary produced with Shondaland, called Hot Chocolate Nutcracker. These are my top five productions because each of them helped me to smash a goal, give birth to new skills and challenge antiquated narratives.
Describe a day-in-the-life for you as a Producer.
As a freelance producer everyday is different because the jobs are fluid. My experiences have placed me in positions where I am scouting locations, handling permits and releases, directing talent, writing copy, conducting interviews, research, working with editors to pull moments or address notes, ingesting media, cutting scenes, as well as licensing and clearing footage. Its a derivative of project management really.
Who are some of your Black queer role models in the industry?
Lena Waithe and Jonica Gibbs are really paving the way for me right now. Showing me how it’s done, and I’m learning there’s nothing truer than being in a room of titans and having preparation be the backbone of why you’re in that room to begin with. If you stay ready, you ain’t getting ready.
Do you believe that being a queer Black woman significantly impacts your career in Hollywood? How?
I believe that being a black woman who identifies as queer does significantly impact the contribution I leave every time, because I am a culmination of my experiences and as a human I bring that with me. Now whether my authentic self is always honored in Hollywood is another question altogether.
I think my black, womanly queer identity is off brand relative to the traditional programming Hollywood is attuned to and I find that technology is doing a great job of breaking up the homogeneity of traditional, one-sided storytelling in Hollywood.
What advice do you have for queer women looking to pursue careers in entertainment?
My advice for other queer women looking to break big in Hollywood, is to create your own content, edit and repeat. Have fun exploring your ideas and allow yourself the time to align with the right people. Leverage social media and share your gifts with your community, word of mouth helps. Follow the industry trades like Hollywood Reporter, Variety and Deadline. Submit work to independent film festivals and apply for gig work on sites like Staffmeup.com and EntertainmentCareers.net.
What types of projects/positions do you dream of for your future?
I am dreaming and manifesting opportunities to produce action features, write, pitch and sell shows regularly. I desire more travel and more storytelling at a global scale. I also imagine myself directing more in the future. I recently directed my first virtual short and I love the possibilities ahead!
What impact do you strive to make as you continue your career?
As I continue my career I am striving to bring more authentic stories from the African diaspora into the forefront, impacting the hearts and minds of people who need the connection.
