- 2 minutes ago
Moderator: Barkue Tubman Zawolo
Ozi Menakaya
Osas Ighodaro
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi
Ozi Menakaya
Osas Ighodaro
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi
Category
🛠️
LifestyleTranscript
00:00Y'all still with me? You still with me? You still here? You awake? Okay. Wake up if you're sleeping.
00:07I know everybody's moving around and doing the activations, but just so you guys know,
00:11we have this panel right now and then one more before lunch. So just so you know,
00:15but I know there's a lot to do today. Okay. Did you guys enjoy the costume design panel?
00:21Yes. Those are some heavy hitters. Those are really some booked and busy costume designers.
00:25So I hope you guys took notes. I also just personally really love how much wardrobe elevates
00:31a production, especially being somebody who does sketch and character work. I love being able to
00:35go in and see what they come up with. I mean, they're, they're some of the geniuses behind the
00:39scenes. So respect to them. Okay. We're going to get into the next discussion before we do.
00:43This is interesting because I didn't think about this. Are there any aspiring agents?
00:48That's like a field that needs, I'm just curious. This isn't like you're not on the spot. I'm just
00:52asking. No. Okay. Producers. Okay, cool. Okay. I think you guys will enjoy this next one.
00:59We are going to talk to some of the top actresses, agents, and producers from across the diaspora
01:04to talk about how they maintain their authenticity while continuing to tell stories that expand the
01:10narrative of the global black experience. Ooh, that's a sentence. I didn't write that. That is a
01:16sentence. Somebody went to graduate school. Okay. To get things started, please welcome Barku Tubman,
01:22who is part of the reason I am here today. The head of diasporic engagement at Essence.
01:27Hello.
01:33I think I'm supposed to introduce the rest. Okay. I thought she was going to do that for me. Okay.
01:39Sorry. Okay. No, but I'm excited about this conversation, you know, because we are very
01:45intentional at Essence Ventures about connecting the disconnected diaspora. And it gives all of us
01:51the opportunity to expand our reach. And so global black is really important to us. So joining me for
01:56this conversation are people that I absolutely adore. Actress, producer, and host, Osas Agudaro.
02:04And actress and writer, Felicia Pearl Posse.
02:19Welcome ladies. Hi. Thank you. So we're going to start with some, a little bit of origin story,
02:25right? We're not, apparently we don't have a lot of time. I talk a lot. They told me I can't.
02:29Um, but thank you so much for joining us. And I, and I'm here to talk to some very creative,
02:35talented, beautiful women on and off screen. That's what makes them so special. Um, representing
02:40stories on screen from the diaspora. So tell us some, or let's go. So origin stories. Um,
02:47I'd like to ask each of you, take us back to the beginning of your career.
02:51What was your first job in the industry? And what do you remember about that moment?
02:56You go first. How, how dare. Um, well, in the, like in the, in the grand scheme of things,
03:05the color purple acting wise is my first, uh, film, my first big film project. Yes. Um,
03:13I was working as a writer before. So I had a writing job, but my big, big break in the industry
03:19was when I was five years old, we were walking in a mall and people at old Navy saw me and my mom
03:26and my younger sister were a year apart walking and they grabbed my younger sister to be in their
03:30commercial. And because I'm super competitive and jealous, I was like, well, I'm doing it too.
03:35So that was my, my first job in Hollywood I got. What about you? Oh, oh wow. Um,
03:44well right now I'm an Hollywood actress. One of the biggest
03:51working in Nigeria. Um, before I moved to Nigeria was working, um, as a student as well,
03:58got my masters at the actor's studio. Um, and the dream was to move to
04:05Los Angeles and do my thing. But then God said, you're funny. You're going to Nigeria.
04:11Um, did a few Hollywood films like Cadillac records, notorious, different things like that.
04:17But, um, Hmm. It's just a rolling, evolving career. I wouldn't, I, I don't, I, I wouldn't say
04:25that there's a specific one thing. Um, but I did work as a, uh, a receptionist at 12 years old
04:33at the Barbizon School of Modeling. I remember that. I was just talking to someone about Barbizon
04:38the other day because I did the program, their like sister program was John Robert Powers.
04:43Yeah. And I did, that's crazy. And no one knew what I was talking about.
04:46I know what you're talking about.
04:47Yes. They're aging themselves a little bit too, even though they're not even.
04:51Yeah, look at that.
04:51Where they promise you, you'll be on Disney channel, but that's $10,000 and take classes.
04:56Yes. Yes.
04:58No, I was just the receptionist at the modeling.
05:00Well, I don't know how your reception is at 12. We're going to have to check out Barbizon.
05:03That's how they were, they were taking the people's money and we're going to talk about
05:06them later. No, I'm just kidding. Well, maybe not. I don't know. Um, but no, you,
05:10both of you have obviously heritage background in Africa, um, Nigeria, you democratic Republic of
05:20Congo. Okay. Stand up. You don't, you don't see them in the room that often, but so this is great.
05:27Um, but you know, Felicia, you've been acting, you've been attached to two projects that have
05:32such great cultural significance, the Lion King on Broadway. And again, the color purple,
05:38by the way, I have to like, that was incredible. Thank you. Thank you. Incredible. Like you did
05:45that. Um, talk a little bit about what drew you to these projects and how you approached
05:50each of those roles coming from the writer side to, you know, being super solid on screen.
05:57Well, if I can be honest, especially with Lion King, I was not drawn to it at all. It wasn't
06:03something I was seeking out, but, um, I come from predominantly white spaces. I went to a white
06:09private school and then college. I went to Elon university to study musical theater, which is
06:13no, I went to Elon. You're lying. You better stop it. You're lying through your teeth.
06:17You will talk about it later. Oh my gosh. Okay. So you'll understand the existence of being black
06:23at Elon is like, is none. You're not, no one is there. And there's like another Elon person.
06:27Yes. Like I would walk down the street and at the gas station, you see a Confederate flag. Like
06:33that's where I went to school. Yes. So I, you know, was in a space where I was like,
06:39I don't really know where I kind of fit in. And, but I'd known that the experience that I was feeling,
06:44feeling like othered and isolated, I didn't want anyone else to feel. Um, and I truly feel like the
06:49universe and God or whatever gave me the Lion King. So I could finally learn how to embrace my own
06:54blackness and not only my blackness to marry that with my Congolese heritage. Cause that was
07:00an experience of itself feeling not black, not Congolese, not African and living in that space.
07:05So that's kind of how that came about. And then color purple, I feel like I was healing things around
07:12my beauty and what it meant to be dark skinned being black. You know, I just was seeing friends
07:18that were lighter that had different experiences than me. So it was like, once I owned the blackness,
07:21I had to own this other piece of it. Um, so I feel like they truly came to me and I tell this story.
07:27Um, I was actually burying my grandmother back home in the democratic Republic of Congo, like in the,
07:33in a village she grew up in when I swear, I heard her voice, just like Google the color purple auditions.
07:39And that's how I found it. Yes. Yes. I wish I was lying. I really do. Cause it sounds crazy.
07:44The ancestors grandma was always looking out always like she was, when she was around,
07:49she felt like a living ancestor and just being rooted in her. And so when she passed,
07:52I knew that something big was going to happen, that she was going to open some kind of door,
07:57um, for me. And it was this. It's not crazy. It's God. I was going to say,
08:04it is far, far from crazy. It was meant to be, and it was God be knowing. Um, but Osas,
08:11your career spans across theater, television, and film. Tell us about some of the unique challenges and
08:16triumph. You know, you've experienced with bringing our stories to life in those spaces.
08:21And so Osas, you went to school here, you grew up here, and then you went back to Nigeria,
08:26and your career is huge. Her projects are like smart money woman on Netflix that you can see.
08:34So, you know, you, you, and, and I know one of the things that's important for you is as great as
08:39Nigeria is, you're really focused also on bridging the gap. So tell us about some of these unique
08:43challenges and triumph as you try to continue to tell those stories, but then also make sure you
08:48bridge the gap. Yeah, it's, I feel like it's important. I feel like me as myself, I have to deal with
08:56fitting in being a, an American, being African, just, you know, that identity. And I'm not having
09:04an identity crisis. I know who I am. I'm, I'm grounded in who I am, but I feel like having the
09:10opportunity to showcase that you can do it over in Africa, you can also do it in America. We have
09:16a melting pot all over. And it's not just, it's not just that we're in a place of, okay, that's America
09:26and that's Africa. The world's wide web has allowed all of us to be in a global community that's just
09:35right next door. So I feel like having the opportunity to work both in Hollywood and in
09:40Nollywood and showcase that both cultures can connect is exactly where I want to stand for.
09:47I love that. Yeah. And it's so, it's so important. Um, you know, what, what has been,
09:53this is for both of you really, but what has been the moment that's made you so proud
09:57so far when you think about representation of the diaspora and global storytelling?
10:02Hmm.
10:05Doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo.
10:10Well, I'll say, um, there was a moment where I was in DC.
10:13Hey. Yeah. There was a moment where I was in DC and smart money woman just came out on Netflix
10:19and a Caucasian woman came up to me and she said, Oh my God, I just saw you on, on television.
10:27Having the opportunity to work in Nigeria and have my work
10:32being explored throughout the world and having someone that I didn't think would watch smart
10:38money woman or anything from Nigeria experience it and love it and recognize me on the streets of
10:43Washington DC was something that I feel was a beautiful moment for me and to continue to keep
10:51moving in this direction. I love that. Yes. Um, I know we're talking about
10:56TV and film, but can I talk about a Broadway show?
10:59We're talking about TV, film, Broadway, any, everything, production.
11:03Okay. Amazing. There is a play that came out last year called
11:07Ja Ja's African Hair Braiding.
11:08Yes.
11:09Yes.
11:09Yes. And I remember when it was first like rumored, all my friends like you should do
11:15that. Aren't you African? And I was like, yeah, okay. Um, but what was crazy, it was my white
11:21friends after seeing it were like, Oh, now we get why you go to the salon for like nine hours a day.
11:27And I was like, okay, something is moving. You know, like they're understanding the experience
11:32of my hair, the different styles of it. Cause it used to be, I'd wear one style
11:36in between hairstyles. You cut your hair. Like that was the narrative I always got.
11:40So yeah. When one of my white friends was like, Oh, I get it now. I was like, okay,
11:44we're, we're pushing the needle in the right direction.
11:46Yeah. I, I, I, that's hilarious. I didn't get to see it, which I'm really mad about. But, um,
11:52I do think there is really such an important, uh, lesson and transition happening in film and
11:57television right now. Even when you see the color purple, if you haven't, you better go see it.
12:02Um, or you better watch it because they, they are intentional about connecting our stories
12:07globally. I mean, before Wakanda, but now, I mean, the color purple, I think bridge that gap.
12:12And a lot of people now are being intentional about making sure we connect us globally because
12:18we really are stronger together. I often think about, you know, unfortunately, the unfortunate
12:23year the industry had with the strikes. And I'm like, if there was a better partnership
12:29globally with, with Nollywood and some of these other industries globally, I think it would have
12:33even helped some of the workers, um, in different parts of the industry continue to work. And then
12:37there could be shared knowledge. So, um, Osas, we're going to task you with that too.
12:41All right. I know I'm, I'm making it heavy here. So what, what type of narratives do you
12:51think that the industry needs more of when you think about the global black experience?
12:57What type of stories should we tell more of? I think just have, for, for instance,
13:05let me just say a lot of people travel to Africa in December. Let's just say dirty December is what
13:14we call it in Nigeria and having the opportunity to see African Americans coming and traveling,
13:21traveling to, to Ghana and Nigeria for Christmas and New Year's and seeing that experience in them
13:28is so eye-opening and beautiful to see because before it used to be like, oh, Africa, this big old
13:35jungle. But now it's beautiful to see that people are going to get their visa, coming back, buying
13:42lands in Ghana and Nigeria and South Africa. I think being, having the opportunity to tell a modern story
13:48of coming back to Africa and the motherland would be absolutely amazing.
13:53I would watch it. Yeah. I would definitely watch it. Can I write it? Will you? I'll write it. You sell
13:58it to Netflix. You'll be in it. We're done. We're there. No, no, no. Done. Done. Well, we have
14:03Essence Studios. Yeah. Really? Or Universal Studios, yes. And Essence Studios. That was going to be my
14:09answer. Just like showcasing the discovery of what it is like to come back home or like find yourself.
14:15Absolutely. Oh, I'm not playing. Yeah, I'm literally not playing. Like, no, like we will,
14:21we will figure it out. Keep going. Like keep going. Everybody in the room, there's some actors
14:24here who's going to audition. Yes. Now you writers, watch it. Don't steal the idea now. Don't watch.
14:31Okay. You can come on and console. Come on and console. Collaborate, you know. Yes. I love that. And by the way,
14:37I would love to see you guys make that happen because I, I do think, you know, the narrative, the, the African
14:43narrative and really just the global black narrative, the Caribbean, just, you know,
14:47all over. I think people don't understand how diverse those countries are. So what mainstream
14:55media may show you is only one side of what they think they need to show you. But I think as black
15:00people and people who are connected to these places, it's our responsibilities to tell our stories for us
15:06so we can expose and educate, you know, like the Caucasian lady who you didn't think would watch it
15:10and, and, and your friends who now understood why your hair was long one day and short the other
15:14and, and could be whatever. But I think, I think we have a responsibility to really get creative and be,
15:19you know, and tell our stories. Um, and Lord knows we have the talent to do so on and off the screen.
15:26And I think these are the stories that are important, especially as our kids are, are, are growing up.
15:30Um, you know, so Osas, I know for you, one of the things that I know is important and I know that you,
15:36you want to do is, um, you know, cross, cross path with, you know, what are some of the things you
15:44think can happen to make that happen, right? Like sometimes they're like, well, why are the Africans
15:48or the, or the British actors taking the parts that we're supposed to have? And, you know, so how,
15:53how do you, what do you say to, to things like that? And, and, and Felicia, I'm going to ask you the same
15:58question because you're here in Hollywood. I think I would love to hear your answer first,
16:02just for the fact that. You gotta put the mic to your mouth. There's the system. Um,
16:10hmm. I, I, no, I've, I've talked about it a lot. I think what happens is there, to be honest,
16:19it feels like there is a lack of disrespect for what America, black Americans, what blackness can
16:27produce. And that, yeah, I think that's where it starts. Like there's a lack of disrespect.
16:32I think people take the narrative of like, oh, we made something out of nothing to mean it's weak
16:36or it's bad, or it's like just getting started, or it needs time to grow, um, instead of trying to
16:42help that thing evolve. So when it comes to those narratives of like, oh, black actors in England
16:46are taking our parts. I think that's just the way people view entertainment in America. And I would hope
16:53that, I think that is something that needs to change because there are plenty of people that I know
16:57that are trained, that are so talented, that are trying to come up, that have everything that
17:01you need inside them. But there's a lack of willingness to really mold those people
17:06and to give them the chance. Um, I don't know if I'm answering your question.
17:10I think you're, you're answering my question. Yeah.
17:13There's no right or wrong answer. I think, you know, my goal is for us to have a conversation
17:17about the, the thinking and the process and the direction. Yeah. It's like they get to live off
17:24the legacy of other people that have done something and we have to always be creating our own legacy.
17:28Like we don't ever just like, it's never enough that Viola Davis exists. You know, it's, it's,
17:33it's never enough that Denzel's done it. So why don't you just like give another opportunity.
17:37It's always like, we're always still having to fight and having to push and having to prove ourselves.
17:42And at a certain point, I hope the industry is just allowing us to exist and be because we're so
17:47multifaceted. We're so talented. We have, we just maybe don't have the same opportunity or the same
17:51background or the same notoriety that it comes with it. But I think there's no difference
17:56between the two. And I've had it said to me, I've had people be like, you know, I'm gonna,
18:00I think this actress is better than you because she's trained. And I'm like, I'm trained.
18:03Those student loans show that I'm trained. Like, don't play me, you know?
18:08Well, I mean, it's interesting that you say that because I'm going to go back to the color purple
18:13again, because I was blown away by what you did. And so for untrained actress, I know some trained
18:19ones that probably came up to you after and said, Oh, my goodness. Right. And so I think we,
18:24and I think as black people, we're just so talented. Like, it's just, we're born that way.
18:29It's I don't, don't ask me as God, but it is what it is, you know? So, so, you know, over to you on,
18:35on things that we can do to bridge the gap and what we can continue to learn from each other.
18:39I think, I think it's the system, at least in Africa, having that system where it's easy to come into
18:48a system like Hollywood, um, visas, something as simple as a visa, a work visa, trying to work in,
18:59in America, being open to the stories that we want to tell, being open to an African or a Caribbean
19:06telling that specific story. It's the opportunity, give the opportunity, allow it to be open to
19:14everyone and see who best fits that role. You know, um, I think I'm actually open to if let's say
19:23a Caribbean is the actor or the character that needs to be played, the best person should play
19:30that role. That's, that's what I feel, but regardless of where they're from, the best,
19:34yeah, regardless of where they're from, but the opportunities should be open.
19:38Yeah, I agree. Can I add to that super quickly? Please. The best actor for the part should get
19:43the part. And I think what we run into is there's just not enough. So we need to just keep creating
19:47more and keep creating space. Like it shouldn't just be, there's only one part for one person
19:53that identifies this way. It should be like, yes, every decade. It should be like, if you don't get
19:57it, there's another one coming, another one coming, another one coming. So do we think that there's not
20:00enough or do we think enough don't know how to get access to the opportunities?
20:06I think both. Both and. That part, that part.
20:13Like I'm very fortunate that we had a casting director and there was like a decision made to
20:20look and open up the role of young Celie. Otherwise there are plenty of people we all know that could
20:24have gone to, but I was just in a space where people behind the table were willing to do the work,
20:29to find someone new and to, you know, really invest in new talent. And I think other people
20:34need to start doing that. Yeah. Yeah. So that's why we have Hollywood House.
20:42Notice I'll plug Essence every day. I'm so proud to be a part of this team.
20:47I am so proud. I, I, I do think that, um, I, I think you're 100% right. I, I think that we have
20:54to create more access to opportunities and I'm not sure 100% what that looks like.
20:59But I also would love to see as much as Africans and, you know, folks in the Caribbean and other
21:05parts of, you know, Bahia where there's a lot of black people want to come to America. You know,
21:10people really feel like America is really the place. Right. And we know Hollywood is the biggest
21:15and there's not Hollywood and Bollywood and we know a lot's going to happen in Barbados. And,
21:18you know, there's a lot happening in the Caribbean is really, they're not playing about trying to make
21:22sure things happen. I think there is something for you when you're starting your career or when you're
21:28thinking about it is how do you go there? Because it is easier to tap in there. These industries are
21:32also big and, and they are hospitable and, and welcoming. So, you know, it's a great way to think about
21:39how you expand your reach because black is not a monolith. There's a whole world out there for us to explore.
21:45So think about, you know, instead of only going to Africa for Detti Decemba and Lord knows we all
21:51love Detti Decemba. It's not bad at all. It's not bad at all. But I think, you know, think about how
21:55do you go during different times to experience and connect with people in those industries when you're
22:00there because they are so open to, to doing so. And I think that that's, that's one of the things that
22:06I would encourage all of you as you look for your careers, look to expand your careers and tap into what
22:12they're doing and how they're going to expand because by virtue of who you are, owning your,
22:16your heritage as you move about your career, I think says a lot, right? And it says to that next
22:22young African or that next young black girl who's darker skin, who's as beautiful as you are, that
22:28I should be in that room. And that competitive nature that you had when your sister got the
22:32audition and you said, I'm going there too, is why you are today. And you taking that leap to go back to,
22:37to, to Africa, um, where people think, why would you go to Africa when you're in America?
22:42And Hollywood is here and look at what your career is today and who you are today.
22:46So, um, you guys are leaders, continue to take the lead. I encourage it. I, I,
22:51congratulations to both of you for what you do. Um, give them a round of applause.
23:00And, and, and just because there's a lot of aspirational folks in this room,
23:04I'm going to ask each of you to just give them a piece of advice.
23:06You're not playing me this time. You're, you're first, don't stop. Just as simple as that. Don't
23:15stop. I, I was reminiscing about how I felt, I was taking in a lot of the speeches from yesterday.
23:22Let's just say black women in Hollywood was extremely inspiring and it's, it's just a reminder
23:29to don't stop, to keep going. You just don't know what's on the other side.
23:33Just keep going. Just keep pushing. Put yourself out there. Um, try and think outside of the box.
23:40Um, yeah. And just keep going. You'll get there if you believe. And if you have that faith in God,
23:47then you're unstoppable. Um, it was the best piece of advice I think I was given. So I will share it.
24:02It is to know what you have to offer and know the special, very unique thing about what you have to
24:09offer. Cause that's the thing that's going to set you apart when you're walking into rooms. Um,
24:14and that's the thing that's going to draw people to you. And you know, that's the thing when someone
24:19is looking for that special spark or that it factor, we all have our own version of the it factor,
24:23essentially. So I think just honing in on what that is, like really truly loving yourself,
24:28loving every part of yourself, getting clear on what that is, and then offering it as a gift to the
24:32world and service is the vice I was given. So.
24:35I love that. I love that. And I think, I think it's true. I think, um, one of the things that
24:42I was told by one of my favorite entrepreneurs, Tony, he says, there's, there's, there's no, no,
24:46no, um, ideas you have that somebody else probably hasn't had yet. The difference is what you're going
24:52to bring to it. Right. And so there's nothing that you think of. If you think somebody is already doing
24:57it, that's great. That's their way. Now, what are you going to do to make it unique for what,
25:02why you're special? And, um, our CEO, Caroline Wonga always says, you know, if you, if you don't
25:07do what you're meant to do in this world, then the world goes without. And so, you know, to your
25:13point, Felicia, uh, um, it is important that you own what makes you special. And if there's anxiety,
25:20if you don't get it out, then that's what you should be doing. So make sure you find peace with
25:24all of your purposes, enjoy what you were put on this earth to do, because we're all here to celebrate
25:30you. Thank you so much. Thank you, ladies. This is an honor to be on stage with both of you.
25:37Thank you so much. Give them another round of applause, please.
25:42Thank you. Thank you. We're doing that film. No, I've been
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