“I was born a poor lil’ black girl in the cotton fields of Alabama.” 

Actually that’s a variation on Steve Martin’s line theThe Jerk... but it rings true for me.  I was adopted and raised by my maternal grandparents, Dave and Willie Mae Newsome (Momma) in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.  Ever since I could formulate conscious thoughts I knew I wanted to do something big and extraordinary thanks mostly to my Momma who expected grand things of me.

"On My Own. Sort of..."

After a few musically and academically competitive years high school, I attended the University of Alabama where I received my Bachelors degree in Journalism. Those were good times.

"Reporting Live From..."

I was a reporter and anchor in my first career.  I experienced so much big, beautiful country working for several network affilates across the US.  I appreciate all those real people I met while working who are the backbone of this country.  (And because of the nature of my work, I met plenty of truly bad doers as well.)

I am fascinated at how similar we all are in our pursuit of living our lives.  I wonder if I left a positive impression in my work-for a reporter's job is more like a Greek Chorus: you comment on life without participating in that which you witness.  I gave deep consideration to the fact that where ever I was living that year had existed just fine upon my arrival and would continue to do so once I moved on.

"Now Showing..."

One night while reporting from the Marco Island Film Festival in Southwest Florida I experienced profound inspiration: I had befriended a couple of filmmakers who were beautiful to me because they were living their passion and had so much joy to share because of it.

Everything about that experience felt RIGHT.  Over the following four months after Marco Island I wrote two screenplays (bad and unpolished) but it was something that was in me and it was a joyful experience.

"Big Apple Bytes..."

From then on, every choice I made led me to New York where i am working happily and lovingly (but not always prosperously) in my second career as an actor.

"Full Circle Moments..."

Every time I "play" a reporter in film and TV I savor the irony; for there was once an older, female co-anchor who was a little low in the ratings and lot past her "sell-by date" who told me nastily that my on-air presentation was that of "some actor 'playing' a newscaster."

"Remember my name, Naysayers"

Thank you everyone who said I couldn't do something or said "no."  I'm always up for proving someone wrong about me.

Photo by Bill Strong