Confessions of a Single Parent (Actress)

When I discovered I was pregnant, I knew before the doctor's told me that the baby would be a girl. Without hesitation I thought of Maya for Maya Angelou and Simone for Nina Simone. Two women who continue to have a profound effect on my existence. Today, the world lost a woman who cannot be simply contained by the descriptors of poet, wordsmith, civil rights activist, dancer, historian, or sage. She was so much more than any single or multitude of words. She went beyond being a phenomenal woman. And easily became your mother telling you, "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude." Then with a turn of her head, and a twinkle in her eye she wrote, "Oh, Black known and unknown poets, how often have your auctioned pains sustained us? Who will compute the lonely nights made less lonely by your songs, or by the empty pots made less tragic by your tales? " Now who would not want their daughter to begin with a n...

While sitting in a congested stupor I come across a video on FB of Denzel Washington saying to group of aspiring artists, "That itch, that desire for good is God's proof to you sent already to indicate that it's yours." And then I listened to more, "Dreams without goals remain dreams and ultimately fuel disappointment." When was the last time any of you have developed and followed up on your goals? I literally have daily, monthly, hourly, yearly, and at time minute by minute ones. My list includes learning new music that stretches and challenges my vocal range, seeking and memorizing monologues that allow me to breathe life into the words of a character. Many of these goals have been checked off and they are quickly replaced with new ones because my dreams are amazing, and they take equally amazing goals to make them a reality. Unfortunately, we exist in a society where many of us are handicapped by fear. Fear keeps your dreams separate from goals. Fear ...

This is a tribute to my mother, Levita Anderson. Without her there would have never been dance lessons, piano lessons, violin, singing, acting, writing, watching films, reading comics, and so much more than I could ever list. All on a shoestring budget, and as a single parent. I always call her Levita and our relationship has never wavered because of semantics. She is my most trusted friend. When I was younger, I believed that every child had the same childhood. I thought that everyone had to go to school to achieve something great. I thought every child had a grandmother who took them to plays and musicals. I remember going to see Dionne Warwick and Johnny Mathis in Concert at the Chicago Theatre when I was about 10 years old. My grandfather took me to my first of many operas and documentary films while growing up. Every Holy Week, my mom and I would listen to Jesus Christ Superstar with the full libretto so that we could follow the lyrics (even though my mom knew them by hea...

I have been so inundated with covering stories regarding the educational climate in Philadelphia, sending off audition submissions, making arrangements for a voice over demo, preparing for a mini show, going through an arduous application process for my daughter's educational future, and assisting same daughter in pulling together her book that I have literally let life become rote and exhausting. In the midst of all of this, a dear friend passed away suddenly leaving a beautiful wife and two daughters. The love that continues to be expressed after his funeral yesterday (that I could not attend because of life in Philly) lifts my spirits. My heart is saddened by such a spirit missing from this physical plane. We did not see each other often but when we did he always had a smile, a jovial laugh, a love for music and for God whenever we spoke. He spoke about his wife as if they were still newlyweds despite the 23 years celebrated a few months ago. Rodney Smith you are missed. I mis...