A biography for Courtney A. Kemphasn’t been written yet.
“Wherever I go, stuff accumulates.”
“If everyone knows the role they play, and they do their job - executing it well and with enthusiasm - it comes together successfully every time.”
“I think as long as I can tell you a story about people that you understand, it doesn't matter if you don't like what they do; you understand why they did it.”
“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.”
“I really try to plot in a fearless fashion. I try not to care about not knowing the answer before I get there; I just jump in first and see what happens.”
“If you wanna be your own boss, you gotta work your way up - have the skills.”
“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.'”
“If you look at the back pages of 'New York Times Magazine,' and they talk about these 6.5-million-dollar condos with a great view, like you're going to pay for a great view. Well, the top floor of the projects have a great view, too.”
“When you write a show, every character is you to some extent.”
“My dad was born with no money.”
“The show runner's the boss until the network shows up. And then they're the boss, because it's their money.”
“I want to be a strong voice, period.”
“If you are other, you don't think twice about hiring people who are other.”
“When I was pitching 'Power,' I had an executive say, 'Well, I already have a black show.' He said that right to my face.”
“The story always leads you where it's supposed to go.”
“I very much want to write about some elements of my own growing up.”
“What I'm about to say won't be popular, but it's true: If being a television showrunner is the job you want, and you are a woman, I would not suggest you have children. The reality is that you just cannot do both well.”
“When you pretend to be an authority on everything, it forces your subordinates to defer to your opinion - which may not be the most informed in the room. If you have humility concerning the gaps in your experience or ability, it allows others to shine.”
“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.”
“As a writer of fiction, you don't ever want to limit the characters you create to the life you've lived. That's insanity to me.”