Speaker Brie Miranda Bryant
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When Brie Miranda Bryant heard the pitch for R. Kelly, she knew this was a story she wanted to tell, and that Lifetime was the right place to do it. With Lifetime’s legacy in providing a voice for women throughout its history, Bryant saw this project as a way to provide a platform for women who are usually dismissed and marginalized.
What was initially envisioned as a two-hour doc, quickly ballooned to over six hours under Bryant’s watch more was uncovered as the production team dug deeper. Bryant is crediting with making the documentary a timeline, to showcase how the abusive and predatory behavior of R. Kelly spanned over several decades.
Currently, Bryant is the Senior Vice President, Unscripted Development and Programming at Lifetime where she is responsible for development, series and specials for unscripted programming. A seasoned media and entertainment executive, she has shepherded a string of buzzy, critically-acclaimed series and specials including the record- breaking documentary Surviving R. Kelly, which to date, has reached over 26 million viewers. Bryant also recently oversaw the documentary Gretchen Carlson: Breaking the Silence, following the former journalist as she canvassed the country to speak with everyday women about sexual harassment in the work place.
Prior to Lifetime, Bryant was the Senior Vice President of Original Programming at BET Networks, where she oversaw all development and production for the network, including Chasing Destiny, Ink Paper Scissors, Music Moguls and Curvy Style. Before joining BET, Bryant was Vice President of Development and Production, Original Programming for Comcast NBC Universal’s Oxygen Media, where she spent twelve years growing the network’s programming slate. During her tenure at NBC Universal, she oversaw several hit shows including The Preachers franchise (LA, Atlanta and Detroit editions), The Prancing Elites Project, Sisterhood of Hip Hop, as well as eleven successful seasons of Bad Girls Club and its spinoff Bad Girls Club: All Star Battle. In addition, Bryant developed Crimes of Passion, Comedians of LA, The Assistants, Secret Celebrity, Find Me My Man, Boss Nails, Street Art Throwdown, Fix My Choir, My Crazy Love, Jersey Couture, Hair Battle Spectacular and Snapped: Killer Couples which is currently in its tenth season on Oxygen.
Prior to her career in television, Bryant worked in publishing for the Conde Nast’s Teen Vogue. She also logged a stint working on the Martin Scorsese and Clint Eastwood documentary, The Blues. She was also part of the launch team for the Tribeca Film Festival. Bryant was named as Cablefax Most Influential Minorities for 2014, 2015 and 2018. She is a Gracie Award winner and former Co-Chair of the NBCU Diversity Counsel. She is also a member of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), of the International Radio & Television Society (IRTS) and the National Association for Multi- Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC). Bryant has earned three certificates of study for Professional Development from both Harvard University and Yale University. She received her Master’s degree New York University and her Bachelor’s degree from Southern Connecticut State University. Bryant currently resides in New York with her husband and daughter.
Speaking on: Master Class: The Explosive Impact of Surviving R. Kelly