Green tears sailed when Lencia Kebede went down in history this week Broadway, He will develop into the first black actor who took the role of Elphab full -time at Broadway “Wicked”.

“It is difficult to even indicate one emotion, because I feel that it changes every five minutes,” said The Associated Press, still buzzing the day after her debut. “I woke up and still felt in the world of OZ.”

Kebede, the Ethiopian American of the first generation of Los Angeles, spent five years visiting “Hamilton” Recently within the role of Angelika Schuyler. On Tuesday, he entered “Wicked”, meant her debut at Broadway.

“Opposing gravity”

Kebede has already undergone an emotional author before the curtain finally fell. He sings “Act 1 Showstopper” Defing Gravity “, shooting within the air and the strength of the moment torn it.

“When at the end of the song I started sobbing the lights. Not just a delicate tear. I had to slow down wonderfully, “he says.

“I really felt like I was flying, it’s the easiest way to do it. I felt that I was doing it myself, although my own power – my vocal power, my emotional power, the power of all my African ancestors. “

“If I fly solo/at least I fly for free/to those who ground me, back from me/tell them how I oppose gravity,” she sang.

“Everyone deserves a chance to fly,” says Kebede. “I design this message that regardless of who you are, how you look, where you come from, you deserve liberation and deserve to be strengthened in the way the character feels at the moment. I just think I’m taking the whole audience in my arms. “

Thank God, it was a break. “I had to regroup,” he says with laughter. “My makeup artist was:” Just let go, just cry, after which we are able to clean it. “

Who watched Kebede’s “Wicked” debut?

There were about 60 families and friends within the audience – mother, her aunt and uncles, her many cousins, her boyfriend, buddies from other programs, her agent and directors, and even the director of the College choir.

“My whole family was in the audience – just everyone I have ever loved, with anyone who loved me and supported my life, is just like under me, raising me and holding me,” he says.

“It was very important to me to have people there I could share this moment, so I could say their faces:” I could not be here with out a piece of your heart you gave me. “

Sister Elphabas

Popularity Film led by Cynthia Erivo He didn’t weaken the appetite to the Broadway version, which was opened in 2003 with the songs of Stephen Schwartz and the book Winnie Holzman. During Christmas, it took a surprising $ 5 million over nine performances, which suggests the best gross weekly within the history of every Broadway show.

Kebede joins the black women wearing green women who played in Elphaba, an inventory containing Saycon Sengbloh and Lilli Cooper, Both standby on Broadway; Brandi Chavonne Massey, Broadway evaluation; And Alexia Khadime, full -time West End Elphaba.

Others who played this role for years are Shoshana Bean, Stephanie J. Block, Jessica Vosk, Eden Espinosa, Ana Gasteyer and naturally, Idina Menzel, which won the Tony award within the role in 2004.

The profession changes

Kebede graduated from Occidental College in 2016 with a double direction of diplomacy and global policy, intending for a legal profession or public policy. In her last 12 months she had itching, which she had to stipulate.

“I just had this creative desire in terms of telling stories in a theatrical way that I missed,” he says. “So I sat down my mother and thought:” Listen, I believe I want only a couple of years to find this creative undertaking. “

Her first skilled work was the production of “Memphis” within the Musical Theater West, after which an internship at Tokyo Disney and a concert at “Rent”. In addition to the years on the best way with “Hamilton”, Kebede also sang support for Beyoncé during Coachell’s rehearsals.

“I think that the rigorous nature of concerts has prepared me a lot for it,” he says. “I feel very equipped – physically, vocally, emotionally. I feel that I know how to care for my body and mind, how I have to cool down emotionally after such an intense experience for three hours. “

Magic Night

On his debut night, Kebede tried to maintain a set of mental screenshots, face rolls and feelings. When she turned to get behind the scenes, she felt love.

“My grandmother and my father are over when I was in high school and I just took a moment to contact my angels,” he says. “It was, for God, it was electric.”

The family returned behind the stage after the exhibition for photos and a visit, she was toasted in a close-by bar by friends, finally ate something, after which returned home to attempt to sleep.

“My battery was dead. I mean, I could not even move. I could not move my face. I just drank tea by playing jazz. I needed to turn it off – he says.

And then she needed to do it again the following night.

We really cannot speak about the month of women’s history, not to say the mental health of women. Many black women bear heavy loads in personal and skilled life, and don’t even start us with the weight that black women in society have.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Diseases, over 10.4% of black, generally uninsured and had uninsured No access to Healthcare services, which is a direct barrier to treating mental health. Fortunately, in the space of the podcast, several black women were accused of discussing mental health and well -being for the demographic group. Check out these six podcasts focused on women who prioritize women’s mental health.

Balanced black girl

It is a biological renewal community founded in 2018 by Les Alfred to supply black women supporting the space to find health and self -care. Via podcast and blog, IT Connects individuals with experts and practical advice on the creation of a sustainable, satisfying lifestyle. Thanks to the overall approach, which values ​​the whole: emotional, physical, social and spiritual well -being, inspires sustainable habits and private development.

Black girls’ therapy

It was created in 2014 to make psychiatric care more accessible and related to black women. The goal was that he often erases a mark prevents women from searching for therapy. Founded by dr. Joy Harden Bradford, a licensed psychologist and speaker, the platform uses engaging conversations and popular culture to find the well -being of mental well -being. Bradford’s work was widely known.

Self care irl

Established in 2017, you Alexander’s Podcast, examines healing, self -love and private development through honest conversations and Developing practical strategies. Alexander shares his personal experience to assist listeners move in regret and take self -care without feeling guilty. Self Care Irl is a supporting space for women to take care of well -being and lead the best life.

Women are evolving

Woman Evolve was founded by Sarah Jakes Roberts, daughter of Bishop Jakes, in 2018. The Woman Evolve podcasts network provides women supporting women for women become involved in real conversations based on faithincluding topics akin to mental well -being and private development. The network is conducive to merger and vulnerability, and due to joint experiences and sister, it encourages women to evolution and accept Wellness.

Twel secrets

This podcast, created by Elimic Goguen in 2022, leads listeners on a journey of self -improvement and private development. It covers topics akin to own love, mental health and confidence, encouraging women to heal and have develop into the best version of themselves. Goguen also created an extra book to assist readers develop into the best themselves, achieving the source of their thoughts and behavior.

(*6*)

Affirmations for black girls

Founded by Tyra Morrison, creates a caring space for black women to process their emotions and share experiences, they could not feel comfortable with others. The podcast examines topics akin to relationships, self -love, faith and private development, encouraging listeners to reflect on travel and behave in a healthy, strengthened way. Morrison also has a book club with the same name.

Novel “Sylvie’s love and loss“Author: Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith Chronicle of the History of Sylvie, a Caribbean woman who begins an epic trip to overcome her adversities related to like, loss and illegal global drug trafficking.

Although Griffitha’s first novel is a piece of fiction, the book is loosely based on a real woman, whom the creator met someday over 1 / 4 of a century ago.

The author received a subsidy via the MacArthur Foundation to look at the concept of “Geo-Markers” in the Caribbean, which led him to several different Caribbean countries, including Grenada. During his stay on the island, he agreed to supply someone with a package for a friend. This someone was a girl with one interesting story.

The author rejected his offer despite one special profit: this will improve sex performance. However, he once swore to inform her story.

“I was so hit by this experience, I told myself:” I actually have to inform this story in a special form, “and I promised then,” he said.

Griffith, The scholar who was written And a retired scientist political scientist made a profession covering a long time, examining the geographical influence of global illegal drug trafficking throughout history and on the way he had quite lots of experiences worthy of stories. These experiences include Griffitha himself, who was detained at the airport in South America, once in 1996 on charges of doing what he studied.

When the search of his bags brought nothing, Griffith said that the boss was very apologize and noticed that they’d challenges with drug trafficking at the airport.

“That’s why I fit the profile. I’m black. I traveled very lightly. I left the first flight from Quito to Miami, “said Griffith.

Although he has “many” different stories, he decided to inform Sylvie because of his triumphant universal topics around the conquer adversity, love and loss, in addition to the drug trafficking heritage around the world.

The book, published by Wordeee in September 2024, celebrates conquer adversity and history of the Caribbean heritage, at the same time humanizing people caught in drug trafficking. Griffith considers this at all times essential, taking into consideration his topics around immigration, especially during the current political climate.

“It is important that we remember that they are good people, even among people who do terrible things such as Sylvie, husband of Sylvie and Paramore Sylvie,” he noted. “Although they did illegal things, they are basically good people who were caught in bad things.”

“Love and loss Sylvie” can also be a story of “immunity”, explained Griffith. Sylvie manages to take a hand she handled in her life and not every part in any way.

As for the true inspiration of “Sylvie’s Love and Loss,” Griffith didn’t refer to her since the first meeting of the probability all these years ago. If he remains to be alive, he expressed interest in the desire to re -merge together with her. In the meantime, he’s preparing to write down a continuation of “Sylvie’s love and loss”, which can contain many other stories that he has gathered over the years.

Since “Sylvie’s Love and Loss” is the first round of Griffith in fiction, he said thus far “he was” satisfied “with the experience and the reception that the book received.

“I am glad that I was able to tell a story that reflects not only the loss, but not only the lowest, but the ups on drugs and experiences of individuals and communities,” he said.

“Some characters in history reflect the sentiments and values ​​that are related to the placement of the family in the first place, with growing despite the circumstances, with the view of the value of education, even if you come from a poor background,” he added. “Let’s hope that I returned the message not only from where you come from and where you are, but also where you can go, who you can become, despite your circumstances.”