Kerry Washington Talks Power Behind the Screen at Simpson Street

The actress and director discusses her production company's mission to amplify diverse voices.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:14pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shimmering gold sequins reflecting dramatic studio lighting, creating a high-contrast, abstract texture that conceptually represents the creative energy and glamour of the entertainment industry.The glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry provides a platform for diverse storytellers to share their unique perspectives with the world.Los Angeles Today

Actress and director Kerry Washington joined Newsweek's Editor in Chief Jennifer H. Cunningham on stage at Newsweek's Women's Global Impact Forum 2026 to discuss the projects she's working on at her production company, Simpson Street. Washington spoke about the importance of creating stories that showcase diverse perspectives and worlds that audiences have never seen before.

Why it matters

As one of the most prominent Black actresses in Hollywood, Kerry Washington's production company Simpson Street aims to amplify underrepresented voices and perspectives in the entertainment industry. Her work highlights the power of storytelling to challenge the status quo and foster greater representation on screen.

The details

At the Newsweek event, Washington spoke about Simpson Street's mission to develop projects that showcase the uniqueness of different people and cultures. She emphasized that while diversity allows for the creation of new and innovative stories, it's the common threads of the human experience that truly resonate with audiences.

  • The Newsweek Women's Global Impact Forum 2026 took place on March 25 in Los Angeles, CA.

The players

Kerry Washington

An acclaimed actress and director who founded the production company Simpson Street to amplify diverse voices in the entertainment industry.

Jennifer H. Cunningham

The Editor in Chief of Newsweek, who interviewed Kerry Washington on stage at the Newsweek Women's Global Impact Forum 2026.

Simpson Street

Kerry Washington's production company, which aims to develop projects that showcase diverse perspectives and underrepresented stories.

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What they’re saying

“The uniqueness is what allows us to create stories about worlds and people we've never seen before, but what makes us the same is what really hooks us as an audience.”

— Kerry Washington, Actress and Director

The takeaway

Kerry Washington's production company, Simpson Street, is using the power of storytelling to challenge the status quo in Hollywood and amplify diverse voices and perspectives that have historically been underrepresented on screen.