Variety‘s annual Showrunners Breakfast will return on August 14, featuring two spotlight conversations with a curated group of this year’s Emmy-nominated showrunners, plus the Norman Lear Creative Conscious Award presentation to Ryan Murphy. “Much like Lear, Ryan Murphy has never shied away from tackling social issues in his powerful storytelling and has been breaking barriers on television for more than 20 years. A driving force across multiple genres, we are so thrilled to present Ryan Murphy with the Norman Lear Award.” Popular on VarietyThe program will include a panel conversation with Debora Cahn, creator, showrunner, EP & writer, “The Diplomat”; Ashley Nicole Black, writer, executive producer, “Shrinking”; Dan Harmon, executive producer, “Rick and Morty”; Jeff Luini, executive producer, “Welcome to Wrexham”; and Jonathan Tropper, creator, showrunner, writer & executive producer, “Your Friends & Neighbors.” “The Variety Showrunners Breakfast is a celebration of television storytelling among peers whose vision continues to define the medium and create culture,” said Donna Pennestri, Associate Publisher, Variety.