Kenya Barris

Barris, the second-youngest among four siblings, was born to Tina, who worked as a real estate agent, and her former husband Patrick, who was a factory worker at General Motors. Barris grew up in Inglewood, California and later moved with his family to the Valley, settling in Pacoima, Los Angeles.^[1] He was named after the country of Kenya, which his father had visited.^[2] His parents divorced when he was a child.^[3]

He is an alumnus of Clark Atlanta University where he started out studying medicine.^[4][5][6]

Barris has created numerous television shows, including the critically acclaimed Black-ish. The award-winning series also has two spin-offs, Grown-ish and Mixed-ish,^[7] and a third potential spin-off Old-ish.^[8] He was a writer for The Game, Girlfriends, and Soul Food.^[7][5][9] Barris co-created and produced America's Next Top Model with Tyra Banks.^[10] He penned the film Girls Trip. He co-produced the 2019 film Little^[11] and co-wrote the screenplay for the 2019 theatrical release Shaft.

In 2020, Barris made his acting debut in #BlackAF, a series he developed for Netflix, co-starring Rashida Jones and Iman Benson.^[12][13][14] In October 2020, Barris announced that he would write, produce, and direct a biopic on comedian Richard Pryor for MGM.^[15]

Also in 2020, it was reported his production company, Khalabo Ink Society, was considering a deal with ViacomCBS.^[16] His company entered a multi-project development deal with Audible in 2021.^[17]

In 2021, it was reported that Barris was developing a potential television series, Brown-ish, with Eva Longoria.^[18]

In August 2022, it was announced that Barris would write and direct a modern remake of The Wizard of Oz.^[19] In January 2024, he confirmed that he finished penning the script for the film and announced that he is also in development on a modern remake of It's a Wonderful Life, with the intention to cast a person of color in the lead role of George Bailey.^[20]

In August 2025, Barris faced controversy over a planned CBS sitcom set in post-wildfire Altadena, California. Local residents and commentators argued that the premise risked trivializing the devastation of the Eaton Canyon Fire, which killed dozens and displaced thousands. Some community members described the project as being in "poor taste," while others suggested it could bring attention to Altadena’s recovery if handled sensitively. The debate highlighted broader concerns about how mainstream entertainment portrays communities affected by disaster.^[21][22]

Barris married anesthesiologist Dr. Rania "Rainbow" Edwards Barris in 2000. They have six children.^[23] His wife filed for divorce in 2014, and Barris filed for divorce in 2019: the couple reconciled and withdrew their divorce petitions both times. Barris filed for divorce a second time in 2022.^{[24][25][26][27]}

In 2019, Black-ish won several NAACP Image Awards. It was named best comedy series and Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson took acting honors. Black-ish was the winner of the Entertainment and Children's Peabody Award in 2016.^[30] Barris and Black-ish also won the 2017 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series.^[31] Barris was nominated for the same award in 2018. He was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2021, and a PGA Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Comedy for Black-ish in 2014.^[32] In 2016, Barris won the Rod Serling Award for Advancing Social Justice Through Popular Media.^[33]

In 2018, he donated $1 million to Clark Atlanta University, and was granted an honorary doctorate in humane letters.^[34]