Behind
The Stories

from newsroom to soundstage, from page to screen

Years ago,

someone asked Sherri McGee McCovey a simple question:

"What kind of writer are you?"

She paused before answering.

The truth was, she never wanted to be confined to a single genre. Her goal was to tell stories everywhere—through magazines and books, on television and film screens, and across any platform where compelling stories could connect with an audience. At the time, that ambition may have seemed lofty. Today, it defines her career.

Sherri McGee McCovey is a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, television writer-producer, and filmmaker whose work spans multiple genres and mediums. Whether crafting a feature article, producing a television series, writing a screenplay, or developing a documentary, her passion has remained the same: telling stories that inform, entertain, and inspire.

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Her love of writing began at Emerson Junior High School, where she served as a reporter for The Emersonian, the school's newspaper. There, she learned the fundamentals of journalism, conducted her first interviews, and experienced the thrill of seeing her byline in print. That passion continued at Beverly Hills High School, where she worked with the student-run radio and television stations and the weekly newspaper. She later attended Spelman College in Atlanta, where she studied English and Communications while honing her storytelling skills as a reporter for The Spotlight newspaper. Immersed in film, radio, television, and journalism, she developed the foundation for a multifaceted career in media.

After college, a brief career with American Airlines led her to New York City, where she took a leap of faith and landed her first television job on a daytime talk show. Even as she built a successful career in television, she never stopped writing, continuing to freelance for newspapers and magazines while expanding her portfolio across a wide range of subjects.

Over the years, McCovey has interviewed and collaborated with Emmy, Oscar, and Grammy Award winners, NBA champions, business leaders, and some of the entertainment industry's most influential voices. Her work has appeared in publications including Food & Wine, InStyle, Essence, Ebony, Black Enterprise, Parent, LA Parent, Upscale, PBS, and the Los Angeles Sentinel, covering topics ranging from food, health, fitness, and family to adoption, foster care, and culture.

Her television writing career began unexpectedly after a conversation with a childhood friend who was writing for the hit sitcom Martin. Encouraged to explore screenwriting, she developed a pitch based on the true story of pledging Delta Sigma Theta Sorority alongside her mother. That pitch earned her first television writing assignment, membership in the Writers Guild of America, and became the premiere episode of The Parkers.

Since then, McCovey has written and produced across virtually every television genre imaginable, including scripted comedy, daytime and late-night talk shows, reality television, cooking competitions, game shows, award shows, and documentary programming. Her credits span networks including ABC, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, VH1, Oxygen, Aspire, and many others.

While the platforms, formats, and audiences may change, one thing remains constant: her love for the writing process. Every story presents a new opportunity to learn, create, and connect. And after all these years, the journey remains just as exciting as seeing that very first byline.

Fun Facts About Sherri

I grew up...

All over. My father was an Air Traffic Controller in the United States Air Force. My mom was an elementary school teacher. We lived in the Philippines. Then moved to Yreka, Oregon. At six, my father retired from the military, and we settled in Los Angeles.

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Before I was a writer...

I interned for renowned author, Alex Haley, and worked as a Service Representative for American Airlines at New York's LaGuardia Airport. What I wouldn’t do to have those travel benefits again

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Big break in publishing

There were three big breaks. (1) My first professional paid byline was in a magazine called, Urban Profile; (2) my first byline in Essence Magazine after trying to get published by the iconic magazine for Black women for more than a decade; (3) and my first book deal with Simon & Schuster for Skinny Women Are Evil, the memoir co-written with Oscar Award-winning actress Mo’Nique that went on to become a New York Times Best-Seller. We also published two other books: the NAACP Image Award nominated cookbook, Skinny Cooks Can’t Be Trusted (HarperCollins) and the NAACP Image Award nominated YA novel Beacon Hills High (HarperCollins).

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Big break in television:

My first television pitch, about pledging a sorority with my mom, became the premiere episode of the sitcom, “The Parkers” and earned my first television Writer’s credit and membership in the Writer’s Guild.

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Big break in film:

I was offered an opportunity to co-write the film, Hair Show, produced by NBA great, Earvin “Magic” Johnson. It starred Mo’Ninque, Taraji P. Henson, Gina Torres, and Kellita Smith.

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Craziest show:

The Showtime comedy special, “I Coulda Been Your Cellmate” shot entirely on location at the Ohio Reformatory for Women. I had to interview inmates who were serving time for everything from car theft to murder, and women who gave birth while in prison. It was the most memorable – and the saddest – show I’ve ever produced.

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School Daze:

While at Spelman College, Director Spike Lee (who graduated from the nearby brother school, Morehouse College) made his classic film, “School Daze.” Some of my classmates were in the film and every time I watch it, it brings back wonderful memories. The fictitious Hillman College from the sitcom “A Different World” was filmed on Spelman’s campus.

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Best writing advice ever:

One of my mentors told me ‘if you say you are a Writer, then write whether you are being paid, or not because you never know when someone will ask to see your work.’ That taught me if I stay ready I don’t have to get ready.

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i can't live without:

Scrabble. I enjoy playing with friends and with complete strangers from around the world. My highest game score is 564. Highest word score is 194 points for the word, “Friskier”.

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giving back is important

I am on the board of a non-profit organization called “Hope in A Suitcase” that provides children entering foster care with essentials to make life a little easier.