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We concluded the first season of Legacy Talk with the legendary, Debbie Allen. Debbie isn’t just a legend; she’s a MOVEMENT. A dancer, choreographer, director, actress, and ultimate trailblazer, she has literally danced, directed, and dazzled her way into history. From Polly–to serving up iconic brilliance in Fame and giving A Different World its cultural soul, she’s been the blueprint for artistry in residence. Behind the camera, she didn’t just shatter ceilings—she turned them into stages. The Debbie Allen doesn’t just set the bar; she is the bar. A timeless force. A cultural architect. A legacy still in motion. Simply put, Ms. Allen doesn’t just make art—she makes history. Her footprints (and flawless dance steps) are etched across stages and screens, inspiring endlessly. This Howard University graduate has taken the entertainment industry by storm—unapologetic, unstoppable, and undeniably impactful. Everything she touches resonates deeply with audiences, and her work doesn’t just reflect culture; it amplifies it! WATCH: https://lnkd.in/gaDrXa2r LISTEN: https://lnkd.in/gABcwqQJ

Jenifer Lewis: The Unapologetic Maestro of Entertainment. An icon who transcends simple categorization - actress, singer, Broadway powerhouse, activist, and mental health advocate. She doesn’t just occupy space in the entertainment world; she commands it, redefines it, and sets it ablaze with her extraordinary brilliance. This episode of Legacy Talk is more than a conversation. It’s an electric journey through the mind of a woman who has turned her life into art. Her commentary crackles with humor so sharp it could cut glass, yet lands with insights that touch the deepest parts of your soul. Jenifer doesn’t just tell stories - she unleashes them, letting each tale reveal universal truths about courage, vulnerability, and unbridled joy. WATCH: https://lnkd.in/gAFkwqWg LISTEN: https://lnkd.in/gABcwqQJ

On this week's episode of Legacy Talk, Lena sits down with multi-hyphenate powerhouse, Jada Pinkett Smith. Her bold roles disrupted stereotypes, her production work amplified marginalized voices, and her media platforms, like Red Table Talk, became revolutionary spaces for unfiltered conversations on mental health, generational healing, and emotional truth. Beyond entertainment, Jada is a cultural architect—rewriting rules, creating pathways, and empowering generations to embrace fearless pathways. We're in awe of your bravery—your willingness to challenge, confront uncomfortable truths, and lead with vulnerability. You’ve created a space for all of us to dream bigger, heal deeper, and live more authentically. For that, we say thank you. WATCH: https://lnkd.in/gYajSSrG LISTEN: https://lnkd.in/gABcwqQJ

On this week's episode of Legacy Talk, Lena sits down with writer extraordinaire and the creator behind some of our favorite television shows, Mara Brock Akil. Through masterpieces like Girlfriends, The Game, Being Mary Jane, and Love Is_, she didn’t just create shows—she crafted mirrors that reflected our community back to us with honesty, humor, and heart. And with a film like Sparkle, she expanded her canvas, proving that our stories deserve to be told on every screen. She showed us that our everyday experiences were worthy of being told, that our complicated lives deserved to be seen in full color. WATCH: https://lnkd.in/gYJQGJ-X LISTEN: https://lnkd.in/gABcwqQJ

On this week's episode of Legacy Talk, Lena sits down with visionary filmmaker, Gina Prince-Bythewood. From Love & Basketball and Beyond the Lights to The Old Guard and The Woman King, she’s shattered barriers and created authentic, compelling narratives that center Black women’s experiences. Through her dedication to representation both on screen and behind the camera, she’s paved the way for future generations of filmmakers and proven that stories by and about us deserve to be told on the grandest scale. WATCH: https://lnkd.in/gCFfjcWy LISTEN: https://lnkd.in/gABcwqQJ

Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe, in partnership with Lemonada Media , is OUT NOW on all platforms! For our first episode, Lena sits down with Sheryl Lee Ralph, a true national treasure whose impact spans generations. Her legendary career includes unforgettable performances in "Dreamgirls," "Moesha," "Sister Act 2," and most recently, Quinta Brunson's acclaimed "Abbott Elementary." But her influence extends far beyond entertainment. Through her D.I.V.A. Foundation and DIVAS Simply Singing fundraisers, Ralph has become a powerful advocate for women, girls, and the LGBTQIA+ community. Her tireless commitment to empowerment and social change has transformed countless lives. WATCH: https://lnkd.in/gdhCdmpN LISTEN: https://lnkd.in/gABcwqQJ

We are thrilled to partner with Lemonada Media to launch Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe. This show is so much more than just a series of interviews, it is a celebration of the stories and voices of some of the most renowned Black leaders in entertainment — it is real, unfiltered conversations about their journeys, challenges, and the legacies they have built. Premiering November 12, the series will feature thought-provoking conversations with iconic Black creators and industry leaders including Sheryl Lee Ralph, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Jada Pinkett Smith, Mara Brock Akil, Jenifer Lewis, and Debbie Allen. Listen: https://lnkd.in/gABcwqQJ Watch: https://lnkd.in/gPsbQ4dN https://lnkd.in/gRqA5CvJ

✨🎬 CALLING ALL FILMMAKERS 🎬✨ We're excited to announce Season 5 of Rising Voices! We've had the privilege of working alongside Indeed and 271 Films for the past four seasons to create 40 incredible short films. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gjAdGXTH

Another vision unlocked. I loved pitching this idea to Paramount of a reunion rooftop event reminiscent of my NEW YORK Summer Fridays era, but let’s do it for The Chi! We curated The Chi Summer Reunion, an odyssey of Black joy and a space to be free. Hosted by the show creator Emmy Award-winning Lena Waithe, w/ cast panel ft Jacob Latimore, Luke James, and fan favorite Rolando Boyce. With a surprise performance by the electric Durand Bernarr. Additional cast appearances: Joel Steingold, Nia Jervier, Cortez Smith. Thank you Gregory Heller and Glenn Payne for your partnership. The creative industry came together to celebrate our shared journeys, collective resilience, and unyielding spirit, THE CHI way. I have to always give proper respect to those that lean in as we come together as a team to do this work! Like Prince, I truly ADORE Najma Nugent + Jennifer Pauline. Photos: Chrris Lowe

I created an event that honored Debbie Allen and it was featured on Essence and picked up by The Hollywood Reporter. I had a vision and created Hillman Honors | Women on the Rise which was a panel + brunch that honored female space makers who are shifting the landscape in entertainment. The event was hosted by Gia Peppers and was a call-to-action for all of us to support and champion the roles of women who are change agents & disrupting the industry. THE LEGENDARY HBCU ICON "DEBBIE ALLEN" also moderated the panel ft: A.V. Rockwell, D. Smith, Jojo T. Gibbs, and Lena Waithe. I am forever grateful for these moments. I could not have pulled this concept off without these two brilliant women by my side Najma Nugent & Jennifer Pauline. Thank you for being the connective tissue. And as a creator we must protect our peace, visions, ideas, keep our feet on the ground, stay planning, executing, and eliminating distractions. Let me be your example of obedience and faithfulness. I hope this message makes it to the people that need to see it. Photos: Chrris Lowe