By Will Packer
You know Will Packer’s movies. From “Stomp the Yard” to “Ride Along” to “Girls Trip”, they’ve grossed more than $1 billion at the box office, including ten films that opened at number one. And, in the vein of Shonda Rhimes, he did it by featuring authentically diverse stories that highlight Black culture—something that Hollywood had long overlooked.
To outsiders, the hustle and unabashed confidence that fueled him since the days when he was trying to sell a micro-budget indie film in college may look like arrogance. To Packer, that’s just what he had to do to make it on his terms. With Who Better Than You?, Packer has created the success toolkit he wished he’d had back then, useful for anyone who’s just starting out or perhaps ready to make a major transition but doesn’t feel there are great career options or ready examples of people who’ve succeeded before them. This guidebook, full of reflections on the values and audacity that have carried him through his most successful projects, is filled with indispensable advice on business, leadership, and legacy.
Whether you’re aiming for the writer’s room or the boardroom (or somewhere else entirely), you will find encouragement, energy, and empowerment in his stories and lessons. As Kevin Hart says of working with Will Packer: “I became a student and learned from the way he was moving. The man helped me grow and gave me the knowledge.”