Me and My Girls, Jocelyn Bioh & Danielle Brooks
Danielle Brooks, Jocelyn Bioh, and I created a new platform, "Black Women On Broadway" - celebrating the rich legacy of Black Women in Theatre. Our goals are to create community, provide education and access into the theatre industry (from box office to backstage), and to foster opportunities for mentorship & scholarship. Before Covid-19 hit, we were in the throes of planning an inaugural event to launch our organization. But, quarantine opened our eyes to a greater need. We polled 30 Black female artists and asked, "What do you need?" The responses were overwhelming. Black women in our community need to be seen, heard, affirmed, and supported. We don't have a sense of community - we chat in passing, at auditions or opening night parties, but there's no real communication, collaboration, and rarely is there time for celebration.
So, we started building a platform on Instagram, posting photos and videos of Black Women in theatre - regional, community, high school & college, tours, off-Broadway and on. On June 29th, we produced a wonderful event, The Black Women In Theatre Appreciation Day: an all day virtual conference of workshops and panels to equip & empower the next generation to continue blazing the trail. We started with a movement & meditation class to prepare our minds, bodies, and spirits for the day. Then, the panels discussed finance/money management, how to create an awesome self-tape, Producing 101, and the evening concluded with a conversation between legends Lillias White & Audra McDonald (followed by a ladies night dance party)! It was the first of many events that we hope to create. We are committed to building and strengthening our community, one day at a time. Follow us on Instagram: @BlackWomenOnBroadway.
Logo: LaCrafts Studios
Flyer Design: LaCrafts Studios