Rita Coburn

Award-Winning Director | Writer | Producer

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Rita Coburn

Biography

Rita Coburn is a Peabody and Emmy Award-Winning Director, Writer, and Producer of radio, television, and film. Beginning her career as a producer and writer for various news outlets across the U.S., Coburn went on to produce for the likes of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Oprah Radio, Apollo Live!, and Walt Disney Productions. In 2016, Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, which was co-directed and co-produced by Coburn, premiered at the 2016 Sundance Festival and went on to win a Peabody Award in 2017. Coburn directed Marian Anderson: The Whole World in Her Hands, which premiered nationwide on February 8 2022 on PBS American Masters.​​

Our Truth Our History Our Story: Our THS is a podcast launched by Rita Coburn in 2026 on W. E. B. Du Bois’ birthday, February 23. It is grounded in the belief that every Black person in America deserves to be seen, heard, and respected for their lived understanding of what it means to be Black in this country.

The new documentary W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel with a Cause directed by Rita Coburn will premiere on PBS American Masters, May 19th, 2026. The film will explore Du Bois’ remarkable journey, through education and personal growth, examining how he transcended the social constraints of the early 20th century and worked to elevate the lives of Black people worldwide.

Coburn’s value is such that she bridges the gap between generations and preserves African-American history. Through her work, she uniquely addresses topics from a multi-generational lens with a passion for impacting others through the untold stories of prominent figures and key ideals relevant to African-American culture.

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Speaking Topics

  • How African American narratives resonate across continents, genres, and disciplines.
  • Example: W.E.B. Du Bois is well known for his scholarly works, but he also wrote Dark Princess, blending romance, political intrigue, and Pan-Africanist ideals.
  • Rita Coburn’s range of content spans literature, biography, documentary, and oral history.
  • Ideal for: Academic conferences, literary festivals, arts and culture events, international forums.
  • Keynote on resilience, leadership, and cultural impact.
  • Explores strategies for overcoming obstacles and building enduring influence.
  • Perfect for: Women’s Month, Black History Month, Corporate Women’s Leadership Programs, Women’s Organizations.
  • Also aligns with events: African American Music Appreciation Month, Juneteenth Celebrations, Literary or Book Festivals, National Poetry Month, and other arts and culture celebrations.
  • Leverages experience interviewing authors and translating life stories into visual narrative.
  • Includes insights from work with Toni Morrison, Amy Tan, Maya Angelou, and others.
  • Ideal for: Academic conferences, media workshops, arts organizations.
  • Explores how art, literature, and film illuminate history, inspire activism, and drive social change.
  • Examines the responsibility of artists to challenge societal norms, provoke dialogue, and amplify marginalized voices.
  • Examples: Maya Angelou’s poetry, contemporary hip-hop, African American literature.
  • Ideal for: Cultural institutions, social justice forums, educational conferences, arts organizations.
  • Lessons in leading creative and administrative teams from “Good to Great,” sustaining long-term projects, and navigating cross-cultural environments.
  • Draws on international experiences in Cape Town, France, Columbia University, and other global settings.
  • Ideal for: Nonprofits, media companies, corporate leadership programs, international workshops.
  • Rita’s story of sustaining a 40-year career across industries, adapting to change, and balancing art with leadership.
  • Highlights strategies for maintaining authenticity, focus, and perseverance in high-pressure creative fields.
  • Ideal for: Arts organizations, corporate leadership programs, professional development events.
  • Focuses on intergenerational mentorship and collaboration.
  • Combines lessons from teaching, master classes, and mentorship experiences with figures like Dr. Maya Angelou.
  • Explores how different age groups can work together with humility, openness, and shared purpose.
  • Ideal for: Educational institutions, arts organizations, corporate programs promoting mentorship or diversity.
  • Explores what makes someone an icon and how ordinary people live extraordinary lives.
  • Draws on the lives of Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, and other cultural figures.
  • Highlights universal principles of purpose, perseverance, and authenticity.
  • Ideal for: Leadership conferences, women’s programs, public speaking engagements focused on influence, legacy, and cultural impact.

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