Building a Legacy with Debbie Allen

In the final episode of Season 1 of Legacy Talk, Lena speaks with the influence behind many of the women who have been on the show already: the inimitable Debbie Allen. Debbie says she's not a workaholic, but she certainly has amassed quite a list of credits and accolades, including Emmy awards, To…

Building a Legacy with Jenifer Lewis

This week, Lena is talking to the mother of Black Hollywood herself -- the one and only Jenifer Lewis, star of screen and stage. Of course the conversation has to start with the Broadway production of Dreamgirls, where Jenifer originated the role of Effie that was ultimately taken over by Jennifer …

Building a Legacy with Jada Pinkett Smith

Jada Pinkett Smith is a true multi-hyphenate: a prolific actress on TV and film, a business maven, a talented musician, and an Emmy-winning talk show host. But her star first started to rise when she was cast on A Different World, where her character, Lena James, was named for Lena Horne -- just li…

Building a Legacy with Mara Brock Akil

Lena welcomes Mara Brock Akil this week, the legendary TV producer and writer behind shows like Girlfriends, The Game, and Being Mary Jane, among many others. She tells Lena about the exploration of classism in her storytelling and the complexities of her most notable characters, the importance of …

Building a Legacy with Gina Prince-Bythewood

This week, Lena is asking the hard questions of Gina Prince-Bythewood -- the incredible director whose name is synonymous with her first feature film, Love & Basketball. Fun fact -- Lena was also Gina's assistant back in the day! Neither Gina nor Lena ever gets sick of talking about Love & Basketba…

Building a Legacy with Sheryl Lee Ralph

Sheryl Lee Ralph grew up in the 1960s. She knows what it is like to have limits placed upon her because of the color of her skin. And yet -- she has pursued her life dream. From Dreamgirls to Moesha to Abbott Elementary, she has brought some of the most powerful Black women on stage and screen to l…

Introducing Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe (Official Trailer)

Emmy-winning writer, actor and producer Lena Waithe (Master of None, TheChi) presents Legacy Talk, a series of conversations celebrating the brilliance and artistry of some of the most iconic Black women in entertainment. Join Lena as she sits down with powerhouses like Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jada Pinke…