She said she’s speechless!
Abbott Elementary creator Quinta Brunson is being honored by the Philadelphia City Council, The Grio reports.
Quinta Brunson first started making waves in 2014 after her comedy skit, The Girl Who’s Never Been On A Nice Date went viral on social media. From there she began to create online content with Buzzfeed, leaving the media company in 2018 to pursue other endeavors. Since then, she’s been featured in other television shows including HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show. Now, her new original series Abbott Elementary is making waves, recently making history as the first ABC comedy premiere to quadruple its ratings since its original airing.
The show follows the lives of a group of Philadelphia elementary school teachers employed at what’s considered one of the worst public schools in the country. Complete with a hilarious band of castmates including comedian Janelle James, veteran actress Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Tyler James Williams of Everybody Hates Chris, Abbott Elementary has been a sure fire hit with viewers.
Brunson said she was inspired by her own experiences and wanted to create a comedy that also highlighted the real-life struggles that Black teachers and children in under-resourced schools face across America everyday.
“I wanted to make the audience fall in love with the workplace, and I wanted the comedy to feel like you, the audience member, were working at Abbott, too,” Brunson told Washington Post reporters.
“I think all the funding that goes to everything else should equally go to our schools… I just don’t understand why it doesn’t. The fact that teachers need anything, the fact that wish lists exist? I get it. It’s cute. But I’m just like teachers should never want for anything. It’s a public service. Who are we without teachers,” Brunson explained to Ed Week.
Recently, the city of Philadelphia honored Brunson, a native, for her creation of the show, Philadelphia councilmember At-Large, Helen Gym, speaking about how much the show resonated with her.
“25 year old me – a brand new teacher, who pulled an all-nighter to apply for grants just to get my students a new rug – had no idea that one day, she’d be a City Councilmember, honoring Quinta Brunson & Abbott Elementary for bringing back the memories & joys of teaching,” Gym wrote on social media.
“Today, [the Philadelphia City Council] passed my resolution to honor and celebrate trailblazing writer, actor, comedian, and Philadelphia native, Quinta Brunson. On behalf of teachers everywhere, thank you for celebrating and lifting up educators,” Gym added.
25 year old me — a brand new teacher, who pulled an all-nighter to apply for grants just to get my students a new rug — had no idea that one day, she’d be a City Councilmember, honoring @QuintaBrunson & @AbbottElemABC for bringing back the memories & joys of teaching. pic.twitter.com/pTrAUWutpd
— Helen Gym (@HelenGymAtLarge) January 27, 2022
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The resolution was co-sponsored by nine of the 17 council members, the resolution reading, “Abbott Elementary brings to primetime television a loving ode to Philadelphia educators, school children and their families as well as a call to action to fund and support our youth and our public schools, and for that, this Council body is both grateful and inspired.”
Brunson responded publicly to the honor saying she was speechless, writing, “Wow Helen, I have no idea what to say. Thank you so much. Pretty speechless over here. I’m over here supporting fair funding in Philadelphia and all the work you do!!!”
Wow Helen, I have no idea what to say. Thank you so much. Pretty speechless over here. I’m over here supporting fair funding in Philadelphia and all the work you do!!!
— quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) January 27, 2022
Congratulations Quinta! Here’s wishing you continued success in all of your endeavors!
Photo Courtesy of ABC