By Jillian Baker
Listen to an audio story from Annenberg Radio News
Black Women State of the Union is a “play within plays” — a series of stories that tackle the tough issues Black Women face in society. The all-African American, predominantly-female cast sheds light on Black women’s trials and tribulations through laughter, sorrow, joy and tears.
It’s not easy for the cast and crew of Black Women State of the Union to address these personal or often overlooked topics. But to many, like co-producer Michelle Flowers, that tricky subject matter can help spark bigger conversations in the Black community. “Historically, we are at a critical time in our history in terms of we see more black women in political leadership, in more creative and entrepreneurial black women doing exceptional things,” said Flowers. “But these are things we’ve worked so hard to achieve and we have to work hard to maintain.”
It’s a point of view that co-producer and director Kila Kitu also shares. “It’s that state of potential. We aren’t flying, we aren’t on the ground, we are just taking flight and exploring where we are in that context, said Kitu.”
No topic is left ignored in Black Women State of the Union. Actresses wage war on everything from beauty and love, skin color and self-hatred. The actresses often find certain pieces within the play that speak to them in different ways. Sometimes this personal connection allows the actress to better portray certain emotions on stage.
But for actress Tamika Simpkins the personal connection goes even further. Her performances are not only powerful for the audience — they’re also powerful for her as an artist.
Simpkins said,“Art is supposed to take you on this journey, not only for the audience but as the artist and sometimes show you things that we can’t see in ourselves that God and the universe intends for us to see. “
Nearly every actress feels some sort of personal connection to the stories in Black Women State of the Union. For actress and co-producer Lony’e Perrine, that story is “I Don’t Wanna Be” — a story about a mother’s loss and suffering exacerbated by the murders of Emmett Till and Trayvon Martin. Perrine is a new mother, and thoughts of her child drive her performance. “My son is two and a half and every time I look at him I have those feelings like what if something happens to him or what if that situation that happened to Trayvon happens to him and it’s something that you can’t ignore. That piece for me resonates deeply.”
Messages of beauty and self-esteem appear throughout Black Women State of the Union. It’s a topic that, for many Black women, remains difficult to ignore in the 21st Century. Co-producer Lee Sherman believes that ignoring these issues of representation can cause more harm than good.
“I think because there is still the Eurocentric standard of beauty that Black women are still feeding into that standard of beauty and feeling that our natural beauty is not enough and doing whatever we can. But as long as those media images are out there, there are going to be some of us striving for that beauty.”
Black Women State of the Union inspires conversation on issues that would normally be left ignored. The portrayal of Black women breaks down stereotypes and promotes the beauty and strength of Black women. Director, Ayana Cahrr understands how Black women have the power to redefine and own their image. “I am so honored to work with these women because they redefine what Black beauty is and what Black women represent. And that is what we need to do and that is what we are in the process of doing is redefining. We set the tone for what we represent.”
You can catch Black Women State of the Union-Taking Flight at Company of Angels at The Alexandria, 501 S. Spring Street., 3rd Floor (Corner of 5th & Spring) from February 19 through February 24th.
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