Black Actors Roundtable: "We’ve Got to Integrate a New Model" (Video)

When asked about performances that made them feel represented for the first time, actor Chad L. Coleman harkens back to the '70s ABC sitcom What’s Happenin'. "With that group of young African American males, they were so natural and had playful, fun energy. I identified with that," he says. Coleman adds that he didn't view entertainment through the lens of representation as we do now. "I wasn't watching TV to see Black people," he recalls. "I had representation in a lot of things, from the ministers to teachers, the police, and the mayor. The pride of being Black, I almost feel like I never had to question that."

Angela Lewis shares that growing up in Detroit, she was surrounded by people exactly like her, and her parents made a conscious effort that she saw as much representation as possible, from books and dolls to touring theater productions like Dreamgirls, which inspired her to pursue a career in entertainment. "I went to school with all Black students, I had mostly Black teachers, and it wasn't until I left home for the University of Michigan that I noticed [the difference]," she says. "They tried to prepare us, we did a lot of work on the Civil Rights movement and knew that racism existed and there were lots of biases, but it was not until I left home that I experienced it."

Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut recently joined the Star Trek franchise in the Paramount+ series Picard. She plays Sidney La Forge, an ensign on the iconic USS starship Enterprise, an experience she described as "completely surreal." Her character Sidney is the daughter of Geordi La Forge, played by LeVar Burton. "Being this iconic character's daughter and stepping into those shoes … they're big shoes to fill!" she says.

When asked what changes need to happen in order for progress in diversity to move forward, Ayesha Harris replies, "You have to put your money where your mouth is. There's a lot of money floating around in Black entertainment and Black sports. We've got billionaires and high-level millionaires all over the place. Banging down the door that's double-locked, cemented and where you're not welcome … there's been a lot of progress, but there's a wave that can happen. It's not just about breaking down that door, but about creating our own house, with our own doors."

Watch the full interview above or listen wherever you download your podcasts, including Audacy,iHeartRadio,Spotify,Apple, GooglePodcasts, Pandora, Stitcher and TuneIn.

Click the social buttons to share this content with your friends and colleagues.

The opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author and/or subject(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillage.com/MyersBizNet, Inc. management or associated writers.