Black Women Directors is a space that honors and uplifts the work of Black women and nonbinary people in film. This digital library is designed to serve as a hub to highlight and celebrate their contributions and foster the further hiring of Black women and nonbinary filmmakers within the industry.
About Danielle
Danielle A. Scruggs is a creative strategist, visual storyteller, and curator based in Chicago. She is the founder of Black Women Directors, a platform dedicated to amplifying the work of Black women and nonbinary filmmakers. Under her leadership, Black Women Directors has grown into a key resource for connecting filmmakers with opportunities, fostering industry relationships, and amplifying underrepresented voices. Her work has been featured in outlets such as The Cut, Blavity, and the British Film Institute.
With 15+ years of experience spanning journalism, photography, and film programming, Danielle has worked with globally recognized organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, Getty Images, and ESPN, where she developed creative solutions that engaged diverse audiences and amplified culturally significant narratives. She spearheaded projects such as the Chicago Film Symposium, which brought together over 75 participants and garnered coverage from WBEZ and Block Club Chicago.
Danielle holds a degree in journalism from Howard University and a master’s degree in digital art from the Maryland Institute College of Art. She is a member of IATSE Local 600 as a unit stills photographer and has exhibited her photography across the United States. Her writing on visual culture and film has appeared in Teen Vogue, RogerEbert.com, Ebony, The Triibe, and other publications.
Committed to fostering the next generation of creatives, Danielle has participated in portfolio reviews for organizations like Diversify Photo and The New York Times, providing mentorship and actionable feedback to help emerging talent build impactful careers. She is passionate about creating spaces that celebrate diverse voices and inspire meaningful connection through storytelling.
“Black Women Directors is for me, first and foremost, a beacon. It is the signal fire that says, This can be done, this has been done, this will be done, by women just like you. It is a light in the darkness to community and lineage, celebration and inspiration...No matter how lonely the road or adrift we may feel, Black Women Directors is the clarion call reminding us that, seen and unseen, celebrated or unsung, our work matters.
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I don’t see my favorite director in the index! Where are they?
Black Women Directors, which started as a Tumblr in 2015, is not meant to be a definitive, end-all, be-all, exhaustive list. I have always viewed this platform as an ongoing, ever-growing archive of Black women and nonbinary filmmakers and their work. So, if you don't see your favorite director, fear not! They will be added; just keep checking back.
I should also note that at the moment, Black Women Directors is run by a staff of one, so while the additions may not be instantaneous, they are always coming!
What about gender identity?
“Women” means cis & trans women. Nonbinary and gender-nonconforming folks are also included. This is an inclusive space!
I am a Black woman/nonbinary filmmaker who wants to be added to the index. What should I do?
Excellent! Please fill out this handy form!
I have an opportunity and I want to hire a Black woman director. How do I go about contacting them?
Shoutout to you for expanding your hiring practices! As much as possible, I include contact information for the directors listed on this site—their websites and social media handles so that people can contact them directly for this very reason. However, if you need more research help, you can work with me!