Wanda Sykes Prioritizes Hiring Black Women in Her Projects.

Comedian and producer Wanda Sykes shared that she makes a deliberate effort to hire Black women rather than men.

Comedian and producer Wanda Sykes shared that she makes a deliberate effort to hire Black women over men.
Speaking at Variety’s Power of Women event, Sykes said she believes women—particularly Black women—bring unique and valuable perspectives to creative spaces. She added that supporting and uplifting women in her work brings her personal fulfillment.

“My joy comes from giving opportunities to others,” Sykes said. “And when it comes to hiring, I choose women. That’s just how I work. And if she happens to be a Black woman — well, that’s an easy yes. She’s got the job.”

In her remarks, Sykes urged the audience to stay aware of the issues shaping the world today. She emphasized that even if others remain silent in the face of inequality, she will continue to speak out and take action.

“What I plan to do is keep creating projects — and using my stand-up — to highlight and celebrate the power of women,” Sykes said. “With everything happening in government right now, we need stories and art that reflect real life and inspire change.”

The event concluded with Sykes reaffirming her dedication to mentoring and supporting early-career women pursuing roles in production and related fields.

According to the Gender in Hiring Report in TV, women currently occupy only about 33% of television writers’ room positions and roughly 25% of showrunner roles — figures that highlight the very gap Sykes says she is determined to close.

Her hiring philosophy directly reflects her current work as a producer, where she has made a point of staffing projects with women and African American writers and creatives. This approach has drawn attention as Hollywood faces increasing scrutiny over equity and representation in writers’ rooms and production teams. A representative from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) noted that the organization continues to track how these shifts are reshaping the industry’s broader talent landscape.

As studios rethink their leadership and the WGA advocates for more inclusive workspaces, Sykes’s message stands as both an inspiration and a call to action. She isn’t merely part of the industry’s evolution — she’s helping to drive it forward.

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