Queer black characters have been the sidekick for long enough. It's time for us to finally take the lead. — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
I'm a black woman, so I'm obviously not going to write something where women aren't at the forefront. — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
I always love where I can plug a black woman in anywhere, and when that comes up, I don't say, 'Oh that… — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
Talk to any black person in my age group, and they'll say 'A Different World' is why they went to college. The… — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
I wrote 'Twenties' back in 2009. I always wanted to tell a story where a queer black woman was the protagonist, and… — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
What's 'Atlanta' about? Technically, it's about a couple guys who are friends, but to me, 'Atlanta' is about black lives. I'm getting… — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
I really want the sense of black people being interconnected: If you black and you from Chicago, there's a connective tissue we… — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
I do think it's important for black writers to show that we too can make it into the mainstream. Growing up, I… — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
Most writers stick to what they know. The black experience is our experience, so it's not that challenging for us. That's why… — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
I got into the business because I love writing. When it came down to finding my voice, which every writer has to… — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
I'm not asking for there to be all black writer's rooms or all Asian writer's rooms, or all white - I want… — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
As a black woman in the industry, you really do have to hold your head higher, stick your chest out, be kind… — Lena Waithe Copy Share Image
I'm a huge fan of television, and the reason I'm a part of the world is because I'm a fan of it. — Lena Waithe Copy Share
To be yourself is truly a revolutionary act, and I think more and more people should try it, because it's gotten me a pretty… — Lena Waithe Copy Share
I love basketball! When I'm flying, and I have on sweats, a hat, and sneakers, people always assume that I'm a high school kid… — Lena Waithe Copy Share
For me, it's about making art that's not good but phenomenal. James Baldwin didn't want to just stay above the fray. Prince didn't think,… — Lena Waithe Copy Share
The truth is, for me, when I was a young black girl who knew I was different, was watching TV, I would always be… — Lena Waithe Copy Share
There's something specific about Chicagoans, and I just felt like I'd love to tell their story in a creative way. Not in a way… — Lena Waithe Copy Share
It's always been my intention to never be boxed in. I never like to do something that it feels like I've done before. — Lena Waithe Copy Share
Most writers stick to what they know. The black experience is our experience, so it's not that challenging for us. That's why sometimes you'll… — Lena Waithe Copy Share
Wearing one hoop earring and playing with the androgyny - that's who I am. That's what I like to do. And I feel the… — Lena Waithe Copy Share
I sort of knew very early on that I wanted to be a writer. Even in high school, I was a big movie buff,… — Lena Waithe Copy Share
My family still lives in Chicago: my mother, my sister, my nephew, my family is there. So even though I am not living there,… — Lena Waithe Copy Share
I feel like I've accomplished a lot, but for me, it's about pushing to the point where I can be Mark Walhberg, Ryan Murphy,… — Lena Waithe Copy Share
With 'The Chi,' it's me observing my own city and also pulling some things from themes I've dealt with in my life. — Lena Waithe Copy Share
