Biography
Lena Waithe, born on May 17, 1984, in Chicago, Illinois, is an Emmy Award-winning writer, producer, and actress. Raised on the South Side of Chicago by a single mother, she developed an early passion for storytelling. Waithe graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2006 with a degree in cinema and television arts. She began her career in television, working on shows like The Real World and Bones, before gaining widespread recognition for her role in Master of None. In 2017, she became the first Black woman to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.

Career Life
Lena Waithe's career is marked by groundbreaking achievements in television and film. She is the creator of the Showtime drama series The Chi, which delves into life on Chicago's South Side. Waithe co-wrote and produced the 2019 film Queen & Slim, a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde story that addresses systemic racism. She also lent her voice to the Pixar film Onward, portraying the first queer animated character in Disney history. Through her production company, Hillman Grad Productions, Waithe champions diverse voices, mentoring underrepresented artists and fostering inclusive storytelling.

Personal Life
Lena Waithe is openly queer and has been an advocate for LGBTQIA+ representation in media. She married film executive Alana Mayo in 2019, but the couple separated in 2020, finalizing their divorce in 2021. In 2024, Waithe began a relationship with English actress Cynthia Erivo, which has been publicly acknowledged. Waithe describes her family as "lazy Christians" and emphasizes the importance of being a good and honest person. She has also been recognized for her distinctive style, including her decision to cut her signature locs, symbolizing a personal evolution and challenge to societal expectations.