CBS and NAACP name Sheila Ducksworth as president of joint production venture

CBS Television Studios and the NAACP have entered into a joint production venture

NOVEMBER 3, 2020 - Television executive Sheila Ducksworth will lead the partnership between CBS Television Studios and the NAACP. The partnership between the two bodies was announced this summer as a plan to develop new content from diverse creators while boosting the visibility and impact of Black artists. According to a report from Variety, Ducksworth will oversee the process of producing scripted, unscripted and documentary content for the initiative, beginning November 9th.

George Cheeks, President and CEO of CBS Entertainment Group, said of the appointment,  “We are excited to draw upon [Sheila Ducksworth’s] leadership and experience to establish a production venture that is committed to telling compelling, inclusive stories, while expanding the range of creative voices that bring these stories to the screen.”

Similarly, NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson welcomed Ducksworth into the “NAACP family”, saying, “Together, we have the opportunity to create and distribute truly groundbreaking content that speaks to the Black experience.”

Before joining forces with CBS and the NAACP, Ducksworth oversaw the development of cable, broadcast and streaming services for Will Packer Media, as well as running her own production company. In a statement, Ducksworth expressed her excitement for the role. “I am proud to join the CBS family and to represent an organization as rich in history as the NAACP,” Ducksworth said. “My career has always focused on telling captivating and compelling stories while increasing representation in front of and behind the camera, and this new venture is an opportunity to continue that mission in a dynamic way.”