Pearlena Igbokwe, a Nigerian-born media executive, has been appointed to Chairman of Universal Studio Group. As the new chairman, she replaces Bonnie Hammer, who will take a new role as Vice Chairman; as announced by NBCUniversal.
This makes Pearlena the first black woman to head a major American television studio.
Universal Studio Group is a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production and marketing of entertainment, news and information for a global audience.
According to a statement by Universal Studio Group, she will lead the company’s growing global television studio businesses and report directly to Jeff Shell, CEO, NBCUniversal.
Here are a few things you should know about the trailbrazer…
1. She was the president of Universal Television
Pearlena Igbokwe oversaw all aspects of the studio business and achieved record volume for the legacy studio. Some of the programmes under her purview include the critically acclaimed comedies Russian Doll, The Good Place, Superstore, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Little America.
She also oversaw the production of popular dramas Good Girls and New Amsterdam, and Dick Wolf’s new FBI and FBI: Most Wanted, among many others.
2. She served as Executive Vice President, Drama Programming, for NBC Entertainment
There she developed the top-rated new broadcast dramas. Before joining NBCUniversal, she worked at Showtime for 20 years. She took part in the development of a variety of hit series including Dexter and Nurse Jackie.
3. She currently serves as the Vice President of the Hollywood Radio and TV Society (HRTS) board. Igbokwe is a member of the Television Academy Executive Committee.
4. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale University and an MBA from Columbia University.
5.Pearlena was born in Nigeria. She is married and has two children. She currently resides in Los Angeles, California.
