Executives

Executive Name
Aisha Summers-Burke

Executive Vice President, Head of Creative, BET Studios

Aisha Summers Burke’s passion for finding diverse, inclusive stories and placing them on the right platform has established her as one of the leading voices in the industry. She works closely with some of the most coveted writers and producers, helping to hone their ideas for the cable and streaming marketplace. Recognized for her hard work, intuition, and ability to cultivate a protective, trusted environment, Aisha is perhaps best known for her innate talent for discovering and nurturing new writing and producing voices.

Currently, Aisha serves as EVP, Head of Creative at BET Studios, now a label within CBS Studios. In this role, she has positioned BET Studios as a trailblazing destination for premium content by creators of color, continuing to build its reputation as an industry leader in diverse storytelling. Under her leadership, the studio has made deals with high-profile creators such as Kenya Barris, Taraji P. Henson, Gabrielle Union, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, and Jenifer Rice-Genzuk Henry, further cementing its influence in Hollywood.

BET Studios made a powerful entrance with its first series, DIARRA FROM DETROIT, which premiered on BET+ in March 2024 and quickly drew critical acclaim, high praise, and nominations from the NAACP Image Awards, GLAAD Media Awards, and Film Independent Spirit Awards. The studio also executive-produced the documentary THE DEBUTANTES alongside NBCU News Studios and Westbrook Studios. Directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Contessa Gayles, the film follows a group of Black girls revitalizing the debutante ball tradition and premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. BET Studios is also involved in the Hulu pilot GROUP CHAT, executive- produced by Kenya Barris and Kim Kardashian, underscoring the studio’s expansion into high- profile, pop-culture-relevant projects.

Previously, Aisha was a respected creative executive at Warner Bros. Television, where she played an integral role in landing overall writing and producing deals with Cord Jefferson, Robin Thede, Matthew Cherry, Nkechi Okoro Carroll, and other remarkable creators. Prior to that, at Warner Horizon Scripted Television, she was the development executive behind OWN’s LOVE IS, as well as KINGS OF NAPA, Netflix’s MEDICAL POLICE, Epix’s PENNYWORTH, HBO Max’s DMZ, and the hit series THE FLIGHT ATTENDANT.

Before rejoining the Warner Bros. Group in 2017, Aisha was part of the creative Drama Development & Programming team at FOX Broadcasting Company, where she managed multiple development projects per year, covering top dramas such as EMPIRE, as well as STAR, SCREAM QUEENS, LUCIFER, and LETHAL WEAPON. She began her executive career at Warner Bros. Television in Development in 2012, where she applied her passion for emerging talent to both the Studio and WBTV’s experimental program, Fresh Ink.

Aisha holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Theatre Arts from Howard University and earned her Master of Fine Arts in Film & Television Producing from UCLA in 2011. Her proudest accomplishment remains her beautiful family: husband Curtis and twins Malachi and Isabelle.