She is best known for creating, executive producing, co-writing and starring as second-grade teacher Janine Teagues in the ABC comedy series Abbott Elementary (2021–present).

[6][7][8][9] Brunson has acted in the series iZombie, Single Parents, and Miracle Workers; provided voice work for Lazor Wulf and Magical Girl Friendship Squad; and starred in the first season of the HBO sketch comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show.

[13] She has described herself as "obsessed" with comedy from the time she attended the Charter High School for Architecture & Design in Philadelphia,[14] and nurtured her interest by taking an improv class.

[30] In 2020, Brunson co-starred in the Syfy animated series Magical Girl Friendship Squad, opposite Anna Akana.

[31] In 2021, Brunson appeared in a recurring role on the third season of Miracle Workers,[32] and in June, her debut book, She Memes Well,[33] a collection of essays about her personal life and career, was released.

[39] Brunson received praise for bringing a fresh approach to network television with Abbott Elementary,[40][41] named after her real-life former middle school teacher, Ms.

[43] In September 2022, Brunson won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing For a Comedy Series for the show, making her the first black woman to win that award solo.

[45] In August 2022, Brunson signed a multi-year overall deal with Warner Bros. Television, the co-production studio of Abbott Elementary.

[48] In 2023, Brunson won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for playing idealistic second-grade teacher Janine Teagues on Abbott Elementary.

[13] She posted a photo of her engagement ring in 2020 but did not publicly confirm their marriage until she referred to Anik as her husband in her 2022 Emmys speech.

During the 2023 Met Gala, she gave an interview where she showed her support with the writers strike that was to start on the same night of the event.