NYWIFT Blog

By Miss Penk

 Welcome to NYWIFT, Fernita Wynn!

Fernita is the Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer and Showrunner behind SHERRI, the nationally syndicated talk show hosted by Sherri Shepherd. 

Over the course of her career, Fernita has shaped some of the most successful shows on TV for nationally recognized talent and media brands including Oprah Winfrey/OWN, Steve Harvey, Queen Latifah, Nickelodeon and more! From her early days in news reporting to her rise as a leading TV executive in New York, Fernita has crafted a career that blends creativity, vision, and the ability to lead teams. 

She sat down with us to discuss her award-winning work, on-camera roots, and advice for aspiring leaders!

NYWIFT Member Fernita Wynn (Image courtesy of Fernita Wynn)

Describe yourself, give us your elevator pitch!

I’m a person whose brain is always clicking creatively, making lists, and taking in the vibe of people around me and the situations I’m in. I’m 100% observant. As an executive producer, I get excited thinking outside of the box and it brings me joy having fun with others who are the same way. Although I’m an introvert and laid back without drama a lot of the time, the other side of me, however, is being a witty person who is able to switch and bring out that extrovert personality when I have to!

What drew you to join NYWIFT?

I moved to NYC in 2022 from Los Angeles when I was offered my initial position as Co-Executive Producer on the nationally syndicated talk show SHERRI. I’ve spent many years working in LA and knew amazing women there who worked in the television industry, but I didn’t know as many in NYC. I knew I needed to meet more in NY.

After speaking with current NYWIFT Board Member Neyda Martinez about connecting with other women in the entertainment industry, she expressed how being a part of the organization has been beneficial for her, it sounded like joining is what I needed to do too.

On set at SHERRI (image courtesy of Fernita Wynn)

Can you share your journey into the industry and what inspires you?

I was a Broadcast Journalism major at Emerson College in Boston. I left Boston and started my career as a news reporter and morning anchor in the south. After being an on-air talent for almost two years, despite others thinking it was a career I should’ve stuck with, I felt it wasn’t a road I wanted to stay on although my passion for news started in high school. I ultimately met a top television executive in Boston who gave me my first producing job on a live, daily, talk show. That show became the launching pad to my producing career.

Many decades in this business inspire me to always find a way to tell others’ stories authentically and create moments for them that will be life-changing for them or for others who I have orchestrated to hear it. Stories that can make a person smile or encourage.

What have been some of the biggest challenges and successes you’ve experienced since starting your career?

The biggest challenge for me was early on in my career when I was still learning how to make what was called “good TV” and the naysayers who told me that maybe I should think of another career. The stress of trying to prove myself took a toll on me. I started to have imposter syndrome because of that. I eventually found my own special sauce to prove to myself that I had a talent, that storytelling and making an impact on lives was what I knew I had in me to do. It became my mission and I didn’t look back.

It took decades later, but I eventually won an Emmy for a program that allowed for women to share their heartfelt and even heartbreaking stories in a room full of 100 other ladies. It was a show for those who for most of their lives felt voiceless. They said, being a part of this particular program gave them strength and they felt heard. It took years to win my first Emmy but getting it for this type of project that was so impactful to so many, the wait was worth it for me. 

On set at SHERRI (image courtesy of Fernita Wynn)

Can you walk us through the production process for SHERRI from the initial concept to airing the show?

There is a lot that goes into putting together each one-hour show, five days a week. It also depends on how many creative elements are included like props, graphics, games, a new set look for interviews and any other special elements.

We are live in NYC, so we operate just like a newsroom. There is a talent booking division that pitches and books the celebrity guests and producers are assigned to oversee them as soon as the talent are locked in. Producers also pitch non-celebrity guests and games.

There are well over 100 episodes produced per season, so imagine how many celebrities, including human interest stories of people sharing their stories, chefs, and experts who are guests — not to mention segment games. There are three executive producers and two co-executive producers, and we all have certain areas of the show we oversee.

But I, as the showrunner, am aware of every aspect that is put on the show. I make all final creative decisions on the episodes as well as stay in constant communication with various departments like marketing/publicity, integrations, legal, as well as the digital and production teams.

What are the biggest challenges and opportunities you see for Executive Producers and showrunners today?

The biggest challenges I see are creating a show with a smaller budget that has been set which has definitely changed over the years, which also impacts the number of people on staff. The fact that many people are spending more time on social media, executive producers and showrunners — particularly in the daytime and reality show space — also have to be mindful to have moments that can be utilized digitally and shared across all platforms.

For every program, there is still the challenge of how to grow the show’s viewership and increase ratings because despite the mission to create content that entertains or inspires, it still is a business that needs to be profitable.

As far as opportunities, there aren’t a lot of top-level positions available unless more shows get sold. Companies are always looking for that next big idea, so I tell producers, if you have one, make connections and pitch it!

Art from SHERRI (via TV Insider)

Can you share any upcoming projects you are excited about or any new directions you plan to take your career?

I am always thinking of fun projects on SHERRI where we break from our usual format and create something special for the hour. For example, one Halloween show, we paid homage to Beyonce’s Renaissance tour. Host Sherri Shepherd wanted to dress as Beyonce, but I wanted to make it bigger and worked with the production team to recreate our version of the tour which also included a new set look, various wardrobe changes for Sherri in the same outfits worn on the tour, as well as Sherri learning and performing one of the dance routines from it.

On another day, we did a big contest that went on for a few weeks involving funny women as well as other big production special episodes that were new directions for the program. My focus right now is running the SHERRI show and continuing to add exciting segments there.

What advice would you give to aspiring Executive Producers and showrunners on their journey?

My advice is stay authentic to who you are, be clear on why you want to do it, and how much you are willing to work to get there and sacrifice. In this journey, you have to make sure that you use some of the essence of you and your life experiences when you are sitting in a producer seat or running a show. You have to be ready to steer a team, allowing for them to feel they are valued, they respect you, and most importantly, enjoy creating with you. This is what will make you stand out from others creatively or be an asset to a production company. There will be times of frustration and self-doubt, but keep networking and align yourself with others who will be an important part in your journey toward success.

Lastly, what does true happiness mean to you?

True happiness to me is seeing my prayers come to fruition, feeling at peace, and being able to let out a genuine hard laugh that brings tears to my eyes, that feeling of pure joy!

Follow Fernita Wynn on Instagram at @the1fwynn, and connect with her on LinkedIn.