Humans are powerless, and even in our exercise of free will, either the Universe is gonna get down with your plan, or it isn't.

Courtney A. Kemp

The impetus for 'Power' was me writing about my dad, who was an advertising executive and very interested in image. He thought that perception was reality and what people thought of you was what was real about you.

Courtney A. Kemp

When I'm at work, I want to be with my daughter, and when I'm with my daughter, I probably should be working, and it just is what it is.

Courtney A. Kemp

I am a black woman, and I'm proud of that, but as a showrunner, I want to think about what makes me unique beyond my race.

Courtney A. Kemp

New York is the center of the world. I grew up in Connecticut, outside of the city, and my father commuted to the city for work.

Courtney A. Kemp

It was not something that ever occurred to me, to be able to be in TV. I was very lucky.

Courtney A. Kemp

I had very much wanted to be the very first black female editor-in-chief of 'Vogue.' Barring that, I wanted to work at 'Entertainment Weekly.'

Courtney A. Kemp

I really do love male characters, in some ways, for the fact that they get surprised when they're vulnerable. Women are more surprised by their strength.

Courtney A. Kemp

I called my show 'Power' because, for me, the whole series is about the way my main character, Ghost, is power-less over his circumstances, even though he has almost endless access to money and guns.

Courtney A. Kemp

My dad was born with no money.

Courtney A. Kemp

When I was pitching 'Power,' I had an executive say, 'Well, I already have a black show.' He said that right to my face.

Courtney A. Kemp

I think television is about the characters you want to see again, and so you want to invite these people into your home. And certainly, seeing them get into bad situations and then watching them have to get themselves out, that's always super satisfying.

Courtney A. Kemp

It... does... not... have... to... be... pointed out all the time. Like, 'Isn't it great that you're black, and you're a woman?' Isn't it great that the show's good? I would just love for it not to be a thing - for it just to be, like, super norm.

Courtney A. Kemp

If everyone knows the role they play, and they do their job - executing it well and with enthusiasm - it comes together successfully every time.

Courtney A. Kemp

If I weren't a showrunner, I'd be a much more accomplished mother; if I were not a mother, I would be a much more accomplished showrunner. I have to be okay with getting a B in both.

Courtney A. Kemp

My parents were 30 years older than I was, and my parents had my brother and I ten years apart. My parents grew up in segregation, and they both lived in all-black neighborhoods and grew up with large black families. I didn't have any of that, and I didn't understand feeling so differently and being treated so differently.

Courtney A. Kemp

The show runner's the boss until the network shows up. And then they're the boss, because it's their money.

Courtney A. Kemp

My experience as a black woman in the industry is simply that often I was the only one in the room. Often I would be the only woman and the only person of color. Sometimes I would be one of several women but the only person of color. Sometimes I would be one of several people of color, but the only woman.

Courtney A. Kemp

There's a difference between talent and skill. You might have writing talent, but skill is learned. You have to practice. I remain teachable. I was sure that I didn't know everything. People who work with me will tell you I don't think I know everything. I watch people sink around me thinking that they knew everything.

Courtney A. Kemp

In 2011, when my father passed away - I had my daughter first; I had her on January 24, and I had a seizure during the delivery. I lived through that, and five weeks later, my father died suddenly of a heart attack, and I lived through that. And then my daughter had surgery, and I lived through that.

Courtney A. Kemp

Courtney A. Kemp Quotes

Humans are powerless, and even in our exercise of free will, either the Universe is gonna get down with your plan, or it isn't.

The impetus for 'Power' was me writing about my dad, who was an advertising executive and very interested in image. He thought that perception was reality and what people thought of you was what was real about you.

When I'm at work, I want to be with my daughter, and when I'm with my daughter, I probably should be working, and it just is what it is.

I am a black woman, and I'm proud of that, but as a showrunner, I want to think about what makes me unique beyond my race.

New York is the center of the world. I grew up in Connecticut, outside of the city, and my father commuted to the city for work.

It was not something that ever occurred to me, to be able to be in TV. I was very lucky.

I had very much wanted to be the very first black female editor-in-chief of 'Vogue.' Barring that, I wanted to work at 'Entertainment Weekly.'

I really do love male characters, in some ways, for the fact that they get surprised when they're vulnerable. Women are more surprised by their strength.

I called my show 'Power' because, for me, the whole series is about the way my main character, Ghost, is power-less over his circumstances, even though he has almost endless access to money and guns.

My dad was born with no money.

When I was pitching 'Power,' I had an executive say, 'Well, I already have a black show.' He said that right to my face.

I think television is about the characters you want to see again, and so you want to invite these people into your home. And certainly, seeing them get into bad situations and then watching them have to get themselves out, that's always super satisfying.

It... does... not... have... to... be... pointed out all the time. Like, 'Isn't it great that you're black, and you're a woman?' Isn't it great that the show's good? I would just love for it not to be a thing - for it just to be, like, super norm.

If everyone knows the role they play, and they do their job - executing it well and with enthusiasm - it comes together successfully every time.

If I weren't a showrunner, I'd be a much more accomplished mother; if I were not a mother, I would be a much more accomplished showrunner. I have to be okay with getting a B in both.

The show runner's the boss until the network shows up. And then they're the boss, because it's their money.