Writing Life 101:
Career Planning and Longevity for Writers
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 | 5-6:30 PM PT | Online
RSVP: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_P5HN1tKHRbiYkEgDpM5GYA
There’s no one way, career path, or linear road to take in any field and the same goes for the professional writer. In the same way that it helps to have an outline before you write a script, it helps to have a career plan.
This conversation will explore breaking in, the tools you may want to cultivate when obstacles could potentially derail you, and how having a strong community can keep you accountable and help support you through challenging times.
Cynthia Adarkwa
Writer, Black Boy Writes Media Mentor
Cynthia Adarkwa is a Ghanaian American writer and producer. She earned a BFA in Dramatic Writing from the Savannah College of Art & Design, then went on to write for a number of shows including the CW’s Legacies, Hulu's Saint X and MGM+’s Emperor of Ocean Park. Ultimately, Cynthia tells stories about Black women finding their place in the world.
Andre J. Ferguson
Writer, Black Boy Writes Media Mentor
Andre J. Ferguson was raised in the inner city of Jamaica Queens New York, with a father who served as a NYPD narcotics detective and a mother who was a NYC public school art teacher.
Later he moved to Los Angeles where he began writing screenplays and submitted his spec script to showrunner Courtney Kemp, which led him to being hired as a staff writer for the hit series Power. Andre is currently a producer on the hit Starz series Power Book: II Ghost.
Kirby Marshall-Collins
Writer, 2022 Black Boy Writes/Black Girl Writes Mentee
Kirby Marshall-Collins is a Black TV writer and director who amplifies the voices of Black and queer people through ambitious and endearing genre-bending stories. She’s drawn to shows that foster community and inspire hope. Regardless of scale, Kirby’s strengths lie in her empathetic approach to character, her pattern recognition/strong grasp of story structure, and her ear for dialogue. (Thanks to many years in theater!) She’s a pleasure to have in any writers’ room, and specifically will strengthen and advocate for the stories of traditionally de-centered and underrepresented communities, and yes, that includes the kids.
She was a 2023 Disney Writing Fellow -- chosen from thousands for the highly competitive TV staffing program. She experienced her first staffing and show cancellation in quick succession. Since then, her debut short, Ways To Fly (2024), earned her grants from Panavision New Filmmaker Program and Los Angeles Performance Practice before premiering at the Pan African Film Festival. She previously excelled as a Writers' Assistant on Nancy Drew (CW). Through it all, her greatest accomplishment is that she used her Disney perks to take her niece and nephews to Disney World for Christmas.
Joshua L. Myers
Writer, 2021 Black Boy Writes/Black Girl Writes Mentee
Growing up in backwoods South Carolina, Joshua L. Myers' parents often told him watching too much TV would rot his brain. Well, joke’s on you mom and dad -- your youngest works in television now! In the short few years he's lived in LA, Josh has already worked as a writer on ALLBK’s comedy series, Send Help, as well as an assistant on Amazon's upcoming Michael B. Jordan produced Muhammad Ali series, The Greatest. Bringing his southern charm to Hollywood, Josh aims to craft stories that provide heartfelt laughs while shining a light on the beauty, complexities, and universality of the Black and queer experiences. And if he can inspire other Black kids who are told they watch too much TV along the way, then it’ll be a job well done.
Jackie Penn
Writer, Black Boy Writes Media Mentor
Forced to fend for herself at an early age, Jackie Penn found comfort in either reading or watching TV. After several years as a Spanish teacher, Jackie left teaching to pursue a career as a TV writer. Now an LA-based drama writer, Jackie’s writing focuses primarily on diverse female-driven stories that explore friendship, found family, identity, and love. She was an assistant on several shows including Siren and Ginny & Georgia before her first staff writing job on Turner & Hooch for Disney+. She was most recently a story editor on the CW’s 4400 and a WGA Strike Captain. She was selected for Coverfly's 2023 Next List and is currently a member of the Rideback Rise Circle cohort.
MODERATOR
Heather Daughtry
Chief of Programming, Black Boy Writes Media
Heather Daughtry's career has been characterized by impactful contributions and a dedication to cultivating strategic marketing, programming and partnerships. In her previous role managing Sponsorships and Partnerships at Final Draft, Inc., Heather played a pivotal part in fostering mutually beneficial relationships and providing crucial sponsorship support to various screenwriting organizations, film festivals, schools, and mentorship programs. Notably, her efforts have been dedicated to amplifying the voices of underrepresented writers, reflecting her passion for inclusivity and diversity within the industry. Heather currently serves as Chief of Programming for Black Boy Writes/Black Girl Writes Mentorship Program founded by Mike Gauyo.
With nearly ten years in the industry, Heather has refined her skills drawing from her versatile and adaptable background in both studio and agency settings, providing a deep understanding of the ever-changing entertainment landscape. Beyond her work, she passionately pursues the arts, particularly acting and music, demonstrating a multifaceted expertise and unwavering dedication to excellence, collaboration, and advocacy. Born and raised in South Los Angeles, Heather graduated from California State University Long Beach where she earned her degree in Communication with an emphasis in Performance Studies and a minor in Music.