Ava DuVernay is an American filmmaker, producer, and activist renowned for her works that delve into the African American experience and social justice issues. She made history as the first African American woman to win the Best Director award at the Sundance Film Festival for her film Middle of Nowhere (2012). Her notable projects include Selma (2014), a portrayal of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches; the documentary 13th (2016), which examines the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States; and the miniseries When They See Us (2019), depicting the story of the Central Park Five. DuVernay is also the founder of ARRAY, a grassroots distribution collective dedicated to amplifying films by people of color and women.

Born in Long Beach, California, and raised in Lynwood, DuVernay initially pursued a career in journalism and later transitioned into film publicity. She founded her own public relations firm, DVA Media + Marketing, in 1999. Her experiences in the industry led her to explore filmmaking, resulting in her directorial debut with the documentary This Is the Life (2008), which chronicles the alternative hip-hop scene in Los Angeles.

DuVernay's commitment to social justice is evident in her body of work. Her film Selma not only received critical acclaim but also sparked discussions about historical accuracy and representation. With 13th, she shed light on systemic racism within the U.S. prison system, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature. Through ARRAY, DuVernay continues to champion underrepresented voices in cinema, striving to create a more inclusive industry. ​