We are thrilled to announce that Nneka Onourah, Patricia Riggen, Keesha Sharp and America Young are joining AWD as Icon Members! The powerhouse filmmakers have not only excelled as directors, each is an outspoken advocate for our mission of achieving gender parity in the entertainment industry. We welcome them to our AWD community and invite you to read more about them here!
NNEKA ONOURAH is an Emmy-winning Nigerian-American documentary filmmaker, television director, and activist known for centering underrepresented voices across her work. She first gained recognition with The Same Difference, a GLAAD-nominated documentary exploring internalized homophobia within the Black lesbian community, and has since directed acclaimed projects including Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (earning a 2022 Primetime Emmy for directing), The Legend of the Underground, and Megan Thee Stallion: In Her Words.
Nneka’s television directing credits also include series such as Truth Be Told and The G Word with Adam Conover, alongside producing work for Netflix and Viceland. Beyond filmmaking, Onuorah is a dedicated activist, leading initiatives like the We Are All Women Campaign to advance equity in healthcare and housing for lesbian women, and amplifying marginalized voices through projects like Black Girls Rock.
PATRICIA RIGGEN is a highly accomplished director known for her work across film and television, with credits ranging from G20 starring Viola Davis to Miracles from Heaven and Sundance hit La Misma Luna. She brings a strong sense of humanity to stories of all scales, including The 33, which she filmed underground in real Chilean mines.
In television, Patricia has directed for major series such as Dopesick and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. A graduate of Columbia University’s School of the Arts, her early work earned major honors including a Student Academy Award, and she remains one of the few women of color to direct top-grossing films in the past decade.
KEESHA SHARP is an award-nominated actress, writer, and director known for her dynamic performances across television and film, including standout roles in Power Book II: Ghost, Lethal Weapon, and The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, the latter earning her widespread acclaim. Her extensive career spans numerous hit series and films, with multiple NAACP Image Awards nominations recognizing her work.
In addition to acting, Sharp has built an impressive directing career, helming episodes of series such as Bel-Air, Chicago P.D., and All American: Homecoming, and is known for her strong storytelling instincts and work with actors. She continues to develop original projects as a writer, while also pursuing music and maintaining an active lifestyle through fitness and martial arts.
AMERICA YOUNG is an award-winning director working across film, television, animation, and video games, with credits including 19 network TV episodes, two features, and multiple digital and animated series. A former stunt coordinator, she brings a strong action background alongside a reputation for elevating performances across genres, from comedy to sci-fi to drama. Her work includes directing for major studios and platforms such as Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+, and Warner Bros.
America played a key role in rebranding Barbie through the massively successful Barbie Vlog and directed motion capture for Resident Evil: Shadows of Rose, which was named a top video game of the year by Time. In addition to her creative work, she is the founder of The Chimaera Project, supporting women in film and media, and was honored with UC San Diego’s 2020 Humanitarian Award for her advocacy.