Biography
Zinzi Coogler is an American film and television producer, entrepreneur, and co-founder of the multimedia production company Proximity Media, whose work has helped shape some of the most acclaimed and culturally significant projects of the past decade. Born Zinzi Evans in Oakland, California, she initially pursued a career as an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter before transitioning into entertainment, where she became a key creative and producing partner alongside her husband, acclaimed filmmaker Ryan Coogler. Known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to stories that amplify underrepresented voices, Coogler has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most influential producers behind the scenes.
As a founding partner of Proximity Media, which she launched with Ryan Coogler and producer Sev Ohanian in 2018, Coogler has helped build a production company responsible for an impressive slate of feature films, documentaries, television series, podcasts, and music projects. Her producing credits include the Academy Award-nominated historical drama Judas and the Black Messiah (2021), Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021), the critically acclaimed documentary Stephen Curry: Underrated (2023), and the blockbuster boxing sequel Creed III (2023). Through Proximity Media, she also helped oversee projects such as Homeroom, Anthem, Voices Rising: The Music of Wakanda Forever, Marvel Studios’ Ironheart, Eyes of Wakanda, and the National Geographic documentary series Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time.
Coogler reached a major career milestone in 2025 when she served as a lead producer on the supernatural period thriller Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan. The film became one of the most celebrated and commercially successful releases of the year, earning widespread critical acclaim and significant awards recognition. For her work on Sinners, Coogler received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Picture, the BAFTA Award for Best Film, the Producers Guild of America’s Darryl F. Zanuck Award, and multiple critics’ honors. The film also earned wins for Outstanding Film at the Black Reel Awards and Best Picture from the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association, further cementing her status as a leading producer in the industry.
In recent years, Coogler has become increasingly visible as a creative executive and industry leader, helping expand Proximity Media’s presence across film, television, audio, and streaming. Following the success of Sinners, the company continued to grow with major projects for Disney and Marvel, while also securing a high-profile multi-year television partnership with Netflix in 2026. As Proximity Media broadens its slate with scripted series, documentaries, and franchise development, Coogler remains focused on producing event-driven storytelling that highlights overlooked histories, diverse communities, and culturally impactful narratives. Her combination of creative vision, business leadership, and dedication to representation has established her as one of the most respected producers working in entertainment today.
