Quinta Brunson

Quinta Brunson created, wrote, and stars in Abbott Elementary — the most acclaimed network comedy of the 2020s and a show that has revitalized the broadcast sitcom at a moment when everyone had declared it dead. The series, set in an underfunded predominantly Black elementary school in Philadelphia, won three Emmy Awards in its first season, including Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for Brunson — making her the youngest Black woman to win that award.

Born in Philadelphia in 1989, Brunson grew up in West Philadelphia, the daughter of a teacher (her mother's experiences directly inspired the show). She attended Temple University, dropped out, and began creating content on Instagram and BuzzFeed, where her video series "The Girl Who's Never Been on a Nice Date" went viral. She parlayed her digital success into writing and acting opportunities, joining the team behind A Black Lady Sketch Show before creating Abbott Elementary.

Abbott Elementary debuted in December 2021 and immediately became the highest-rated comedy on network television. The show has been praised for its warm, ensemble-driven humor and its refusal to treat its characters — underpaid teachers in an under-resourced school — as anything less than heroic. Brunson has been named to Time's 100 Most Influential People and has signed a multi-year deal with Warner Bros. Television worth tens of millions.