Spotlight on: BTS Panelist MORENIKE JOELA EVANS
Director Morenike Joela Evans is a storyteller on a mission—and a director you absolutely need to know. From producing iconic cultural programming for MTV News, BET, NBC, and OWN, to her breakout success in episodic television, Morenike’s career is a masterclass in perseverance, talent, and strategy.
After making a name for herself in the digital space with a string of award-winning web series, Morenike then skyrocketed into the episode space, working in multi and single-cam worlds and across genres. She has helmed several fan-favorite episodes on popular shows including That Girl Lay Lay, How I Met Your Father and Grey’s Anatomy.
Breaking Into Multi-Cam
“My journey into multi-cam was really a beautiful collision of my network, past work, and unexpected opportunities,” says Morenike. “I had no idea it would happen the way it did, but I was working every single day toward that moment.”
Coming from the unscripted world, Morenike made it a priority to build her network in scripted television while steadily growing her directing portfolio—on her own time, with limited resources but maximum vision. She co-created a web series with Peppur Chambers that won seven LA Webfest awards, then directed Sexless and Chef Julian for Black & Sexy TV, and eventually God Complx, Google’s first funded digital series. “These were low-budget gigs, but I poured everything into them.”
Then, the moment came: Meg DeLoatch emailed to say she was launching Family Reunion on Netflix—and was looking for directors. “She said, ‘Do you know anyone?’—wink wink,” laughs Morenike. A co-sign from EP Claire Brown sealed the deal. Morenike shadowed on set, learned the multi-cam ropes, and in 2019, directed her first TV episode—earning her DGA membership and officially launching her episodic career.
It’s Pilot-time!
In 2022, Morenike made major creative strides, directing two standout pilots: Disney’s Saturdays, a vibrant single-cam series celebrating Black roller skating culture, and MGM/Bounce TV’s multi-cam comedy Act Your Age, described as a “Black Golden Girls” and starring Tisha Campbell, Kym Whitley, and Yvette Nicole Brown. That same year, she earned a Children & Family Emmy nomination for her direction on Disney’s hit series Raven’s Home.
Changing the Numbers
Morenike is one of only six African American women directing multi-cam television—a fact she finds deeply troubling, not celebratory.
“This stat doesn’t highlight my success—it highlights systemic exclusion,” she says. “Meg DeLoatch was intentional about creating opportunities for new directors, including me. But outside of that, most shows keep hiring the same people. Multi-cam is extremely insulated.”
She points to how, despite decades of Black sitcoms, Black directors were rarely given a seat in the director’s chair—or the chance to direct again. “We need networks and showrunners to be intentional. Ava DuVernay does it. Meg did it. That’s how change happens.”
Advice for Emerging Directors
To those looking to break into episodic, Morenike offers clear advice: “Build your network. Build your reputation. Build your body of work. And be ready when the opportunity comes.”
She encourages directors to prep using real scripts, shadow when possible, and stay resilient. “Directing your first episode is hard. Getting the second one is even harder. But keep going. Your voice is needed.”
Morenike Joela Evans isn’t just rising—she’s leading. And she’s bringing others with her.
Want to learn how Morenike Joela Evans nails a general meeting? Come to BACK TO SET and watch her coach two directors live in our Pitching Yourself in the General workshop! Want to be one of them? Apply now for a chance to pitch to two top execs on stage!