Ava Duvernay
Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images
45-year-old director Ava DuVernay is climbing to the top in Hollywood, having just directed A Wrinkle in Time. Formerly a publicist, Ava credits her mom for giving her the push to strive for success. “If you try and it doesn’t work out, you’re not a failure, you’re a risk taker,” said mama DuVernay.
As well as making her mark, Ava helps other directors of color make their dreams happen through Array Now which funds films by women and people of different backgrounds. For her drama series, Queen Sugar DuVernay employs all-female directors. “I refuse to believe the status quo,” she says.
