Wanda Sykes Prioritizes Hiring Black Women

Comedian and producer Wanda Sykes is making waves with her straightforward approach to hiring. At Variety’s Power of Women event, Sykes openly shared her preference for hiring Black women, believing they bring invaluable strengths to creative projects.

A Commitment to Uplifting Black Women

Sykes expressed that hiring and empowering women, particularly Black women, brings her immense personal joy. “My joy is when I’m able to hire somebody. And you know who I like to hire? Women,” she stated. “I’ll be upfront with you. . . I’m hiring the woman. That’s just how I operate. And I’ll be honest with you, if she’s a Black woman — oh, pssh. Girl, you got the job.”

She emphasized the importance of representation and advocacy, especially in the current political climate. Sykes plans to continue creating projects, both in her stand-up and through her production work, that highlight the capabilities of powerful women. “We’re at a moment in time where, with everything that’s going on in the government, we need to create projects where life imitates art,” she explained.

Addressing Industry Inequities

Sykes’s hiring philosophy directly addresses the significant gender gap in Hollywood. Statistics show that women hold only about 33% of television writing-room positions and a mere 25% of show-runner roles. Sykes is actively working to change this narrative by prioritizing the staffing of women and African American writers and creatives in her own projects.

This intentional approach is gaining attention as the industry faces increased scrutiny over diversity and inclusion in its creative teams. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) is monitoring these shifts, and Sykes’s remarks serve as both an inspiration and a challenge to the status quo. She believes that when women succeed, the entire community benefits.

When women thrive, the community thrives. We make everyone around us better, we do. — Wanda Sykes