Like the rest of the world, we are so proud of Quinta Brunson. The brilliant multi-hyphenate has managed to not only steal our hearts but look at inner-city public schools through a new lens with Abbott Elementary. The Philadelphia native’s performance as Janine Teagues is complimented by the other hats she wears for the series, including creator and executive producer.
While Brunson excels in all of these lanes, this isn’t new to her; it’s true to her. We first got wind of the creative during her time at BuzzFeed, where she’d create viral content, and now she’s taken it to the next level through her incredible work ethic. Again, we’re just so proud. Check out eight reasons we’re so happy for Quinta, or as her fictional students call her, Ms. Teagues.
1. We grew up with her
The great part about being a millennial is that many of our revered icons in the making got their start on social media. Quinta is no exception, as many of us first got wind of her through viral concept videos that made us laugh and feel seen. It’s incredible that we’ve been able to grow along with her.
2. Black girl magic
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Quinta is Black girl magic, through and through. The creator has used her talents and platforms to exemplify the beauty of Black women and Black people, and for that, we should be grateful.
3. Her trajectory
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As a Black creative, there’s no blueprint to success or making it. It can be a hazy journey, but witnessing Quinta’s trajectory to the fruits of her labor is inspirational. It’s unclear if she considers her journey from a content creator to an Emmy-nominated writer, lead actress and executive producer a success story, but we sure do. Go, Quinta!
4. Representation
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Quinta not only makes creatives feel seen but also those who work in public education. With Abbott Elementary, we can get an in-depth look at what many of our Black teachers and students go through in this environment. It’s easy to make judgments when not having a clue what’s happening, so kudos to Quinta for showing us.
5. "Abbott Elementary"
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Abbott Elementary is the hottest show out right now; that alone is why we have to salute our Quinta. Of course, we have an abundance of shows out right now that glamorize careers in the entertainment industry, but this shows that jobs in public education can be just as rewarding, and they are.
6. Art imitating life
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We should always show the utmost appreciation to our friends who are teachers and principals in public education. However, now that we have this small glimpse into some of the barriers they face, we must continue that appreciation while offering empathy.
7. Emmy nominations
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Quinta came out of the gates swinging with multiple Emmy nominations! To date, Abbott Elementary has been nominated for seven Emmys. It’s no surprise considering that the entire series is phenomenal, with some of the best acting and writing we’ve seen. This makes it clear that shows don’t have to be laced with trauma to score nominations.
8. TIME 100
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Of course, Quinta made the 2022 TIME 100 Most Influential People List. The woman has influenced an entire generation through her craft, and something tells us that won’t stop anytime soon.
There is so much more that we can say, as Quinta’s impact has been monumental, to say the least. What she represents for Black creativity will go down in history. It’s the blueprint for me.
