DWW Showcase Event Details

Keynote Speaker: Quinta Brunson

Named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and dubbed “the new queen of sitcoms” by New York Magazine, Emmy® Award, Actors Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor, producer, writer and ABBOTT ELEMENTARY creator Quinta Brunson has quickly made a name for herself as a powerful force and game changer within the entertainment industry.

Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Brunson made history as the first Black woman to receive three Emmy® nominations and the second Black woman to win an Emmy® in the category of Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for her Peabody Award-winning series ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, which she stars in and serves as creator/showrunner, head writer, and executive producer. The show, inspired by Brunson’s mother, follows a group of dedicated, passionate teachers brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life.

Since its launch, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY has garnered a slew of awards season wins and nominations, with Brunson personally landing 68 nominations and 30 wins. Most recently, Brunson earned several nominations including the Critics’ Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series (2025), a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy (2025), a NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series (2025) and an Actors Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series (2025). Some recent notable highlights include winning her second Emmy® for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2023), winning a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series, Musical, or Comedy (2023) and winning her first Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series (2023). She has also received yearly nominations from the Writers Guild Awards in their comedy series category (2023-2025). Aside from winning a Peabody Award, ABBOTT ELEMENTARY was also honored at the 2022, 2023 and 2024 AFI AWARDS for Outstanding Television Program of the Year. ABBOTT ELEMENTARY is currently airing new episodes weekly on ABC and Hulu.

In film, Brunson appeared as Oprah Winfrey in the award-winning feature WEIRD: THE AL YANKOVIC STORY alongside Daniel Radcliffe. The film won the Outstanding Television Movie Award at the 2023 Primetime Emmys®, and Best Movie Made for Television at the Critics’ Choice Awards.