Building a Legacy with Phylicia Rashad

In the season finale of Legacy Talk, Lena sits down with the incomparable Phylicia Rashad live from Tribeca X. From The Wiz to The Cosby Show, A Raisin in the Sun, Creed, and Purpose, Phylicia's career has embodied grace, depth, and quiet power. She reflects on freedom, family, and the generations …

Building a Legacy with Bill Duke

Lena sits down with visionary actor and director Bill Duke. From his first role in Car Wash to American Gigolo and Menace II Society, to directing Sister Act II and Dark Girls, Duke’s work has left an unforgettable mark on film and culture. He opens up about his journey from theater to Hollywood, p…

Building a Legacy with Kym Whitley

This week on Legacy Talk, Lena sits down with comedy powerhouse Kym Whitley. From The Sinbad Show and Martin to Next Friday, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and Master of None, Kym has built a career on fearless humor and unforgettable characters. She opens up about pushing past fear, embracing her softer si…

Building a Legacy with Lela Rochon

This week, Lena dives into the remarkable journey of Lela Rochon – the unforgettable actress who gave us range and beauty in culture's most memorable films. Lela shares how she was handpicked by Eddie Murphy to play “Sunshine” in Harlem Nights, breathed life into Robin in Waiting to Exhale, and sho…

Building a Legacy with Cree Summer

This week, Lena talks to Cree Summer - the beautiful face behind film and TV roles like Freddie Brooks on A Different World, but also the golden voice behind hundreds of animated characters, from Penny on Inspector Gadget to Susie Carmichael on Rugrats. Cree tells Lena about how she overcame the st…

Building a Legacy with Loretta Devine

Loretta Devine’s voice and performances are nothing short of iconic. From being one of the original Dreamgirls on Broadway to Waiting to Exhale, The Preacher’s Wife, Grey’s Anatomy, and The Carmichael Show, Loretta’s career has spanned stage, film, and television with a rare mix of power, humor, an…

Building a Legacy with Vivica A. Fox

Vivica A. Fox has lit up the screen for decades, starring in some of the biggest blockbuster films of all time like Independence Day, Set It Off, and Kill Bill, to household-name TV shows like Days of Our Lives and Curb Your Enthusiasm. But in this conversation with Lena, she opens up about everyth…

Building a Legacy with Robert Townsend

A milestone episode this week -- Lena welcomes her first male guest in the history of Legacy Talk! And it's a fitting one, as Robert Townsend has worked with just about everyone in Black Hollywood. As a comedian, actor, writer, and director, known for projects from The Parent 'Hood to The Five Hear…

Building a Legacy with Ava DuVernay

In this supersized episode, Lena reunites with someone who has known her and watched her grow for a long time -- the incredible, inspirational director and filmmaker Ava DuVernay, known for films from Selma to Middle of Nowhere to 13th. The two old friends have a lot to catch up on, from how Ava le…

Building a Legacy with Yvette Lee Bowser

This week, Lena welcomes pioneering writer and producer Yvette Lee Bowser– the creative force behind Living Single, For Your Love, and Half and Half. Yvette shares how a bold phone call to an old acquaintance changed her career trajectory from aspiring lawyer to one of television’s most influential…