Kurian has long celebrated BIPOC creators and talent—working at Onyx Collective has amplified that purpose. He brought the series “UnPrisoned” and “Queenie” to life and has expanded Onyx’s portfolio with new shows like “How to Die Alone” and “Deli Boys,” allowing creators to tell authentic stories with unique perspectives. Unable to find a mentor who understood the obstacles young executives of color face, Kurian now mentors young talent, giving them the guidance he once craved.
What nonprofit are you proud to champion? Gold House. I love what Bing Chen and his team are doing to uplift the interests of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent. They continuously expand their scope and I am constantly amazed by their impact.
What do you think is the biggest misconception about diversity within your industry? I think the biggest misconception is the idea that hiring diverse artists would itself solve the issue, but the real goal has to be to create an inclusive environment so that they can develop properly and not be accelerated into roles without the proper training.
What does work-life balance mean to you? I’m always working on finding a balance between professional and home life. There is often a thin line separating them and the best situations are where they feed each other with one creating inspiration and motivation in the other.