Renaissance man, Michael Wayne Turner III, is an award winning writer, poet, spoken word artist, actor, and educator. Taking on the starring role in Chinaka Hodge's Chasing Mehserle, Turner plays Watts a young man who doesn't feel safe in the world, hasn't gone past his Oakland stoop since the Rodney King beating and is obsessed with the Bart officer who killed Oscar Grant, Johannes Mehserle. The play is reminiscent of many of the anxieties felt

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This broadway performer is currently appearing at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater in the revival of The Color Purple as Nettie. This is not Joaquina Kalukango’s first Broadway show, however, this up and coming actress has had parts in Godspell and the short run of Holler If Ya Hear Me. As well as off-Broadway productions of the popular shows, The Wild Party and Hurt Village. Joaquina was recently featured in the New York Times’ “In

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Danielle Pinnock's one woman show Body/Courage began as a Master's dissertation - a documentary theater piece. It turned into something much bigger than that. Body/Courage took Danielle from the Birmingham School of Acting in the UK to New York where she won "Best Actress" at the Strawberry Theater Festival and finally to Chicago.Since moving to Chicago Danielle Pinnock has understudied at the Goodman Theatre, acted in shows at Profiles Theatre and have had the amazing

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This self-proclaimed Renaissance Man lives up to the title. Like his new podcast says Al Letson does errthang and he does it well. Peabody award-winning radio host, poet, playwright, actor and comic book writer?! When does he sleep? Well this artist with the amazing head of hair is definitely someone you should keep tabs on, after all he is the

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Lateefah Holder is a stage and screen actress with a bright future and big goals. We are excited to have this talented woman on the next season of the show! After her appearance on HBO’s Getting On and upcoming television projects, we know that Lateefah Holder will be the Next Big

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Actress, singer and dancer Ashley Blaine Featherson has appeared in “Dear White People”, “Glee” and is also the co-creator and star of Hello Cupid from Black & Sexy TV. Ashley is a well-rounded creator with her own lifestyle blog and active social media accounts. We can count on her for product recommendations, beautiful pictures of fashion and food as well as great entertainment? With a resume this fabulous and only destined to get better, Ashley

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Chinaka Hodge is a writer, artist, activist and educator, originally from Oakland, CA, Chinaka’s talent has taken her around the country. From performing poetry on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam to appearing in rapper Atmosphere’s video for “Kanye West”, Chinaka is extremely talented and shows no signs of stopping. We definitely think Chinaka Hodge should be on your radar, let everyone know that you’ve been hip to this star since the jump. Chinaka Hodge is without

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In anticipation of the new season of “The Next Big Thing” we’ll be putting you on to some creators and influential people who we think will be the next big thing in culture! We’re starting out with Christina Elmore, an accomplished actress who has performed for stage and screen alike. Christina made her film debut in the critically acclaimed drama Fruitvale Station, which won both the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the

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