I create plays and characters that demonstrate the common bonds that we have as people in order to give marginalized groups of people a chance to perform and share their stories. As a thespian who writes, directs and performs as an actor, I discovered there was no place for my creative work to be produced where I lived. This led me to create an annual theatre festival, Columbus Black Theatre Festival (CBTF) that was inspired by the Atlanta Black Theatre Festival, to ensure that the voices of people of color and women are available to the general public in Central Ohio.

My work has given people of color a place to share their stories in the communities where they live. It has also given people who aren’t “of color” a place to share their stories that include marginalized groups of people to the general public.

The dialogue of my plays and the plays chosen for the CBTF, along with the performance of the characters that are portrayed give the audience a glimpse into other people’s lives and this brings empathy and hope for the future.