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S. Epatha
Merkerson
(Miss Ruth)
Ms. Merkerson has won
critical acclaim for her work in theatre, television
and film. She is best known for her portrayal of
Lieutenant Anita Van Buren on NBC’s LAW AND ORDER
(2006/2010/2011 Image Award). Her credits include
the HBO film LACKAWANNA BLUES (Emmy, Golden Globe,
SAG, Gracie Allen, 2006 Image Award and an IFP
Spirit Award nomination) RADIO (Cammie Award), BLACK
SNAKE MOAN, TERMINATOR II: JUDGEMENT DAY, RANDOM
HEARTS, NAVY SEALS, MOTHER AND CHILD , THE SIX WIVES
OF HENRY LEFAY, WE THE PEEPLES3 and Steven
Spielberg’s LINCOLN. Ms. Merkerson’s extensive
theatre work includes the 2008 Broadway revival of
COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA, (Tony Award nomination),
August Wilson’s THE PIANO LESSON (Tony, Drama Desk
and Helen Hayes Award nominations), BIRDIE BLUE
(Obie Award), I’M NOT STUPID (Obie Award), THE OLD
SETTLER (Helen Hayes Award) and F*CKING A by Suzan
Lori Parks (Lucille Lortel Award nomination).
In January 2012 she
completed her first feature documentary as
producer/director. THE CONTRADICTIONS OF FAIR HOPE
received the 2012 Best Documentary, Best Feature,
Best Direction and the Filmmakers Choice Award at
the San Diego Black Film Festival and Best Feature
at the 2012 Texas Black Film Festival.
A native of Detroit
Michigan, Ms. Merkerson holds a Bachelor of Fine
Arts degree from Wayne State University and 2
Honorary Doctorates one from WSU-2009 and the
University of Maryland Eastern Shore in 2012.
Ruby Dee
(Miss Yolonda)
Ruby Dee is a real American icon; honored in her
lifetime by Presidents, royalty, the elite members of
her artistic peers and a grateful culture-minded public
of several generations. Ms. Dee is a recent Academy
Award nominee for her role in AMERICAN GANGSTER. She
(along with her late husband, Ossie Davis) is the 2007
GRAMMY AWARD winners for the Spoken Word autobiography
WITH OSSIE & RUBY: IN THIS LIFE TOGETHER. Ms. Dee was
featured, along with Alicia Keyes, in the critically
acclaimed biography series ICONOCLASTS for the Sundance
Channel and co-stars in the independent feature film
STEAM which premiered at the Women’s International Film
Festival in Miami.
Winner of the 2006 New Zealand
Screen Award for Best Actress in her role as a Fijian
matriarch in NAMING NUMBER 2; Ms. Dee continues to
embellish a career built on signature performances in
classics like Lutiebelle in PURLIE VICTORIOUS, Ruth in A
RAISIN IN THE SUN, Lena in BOSEMAN AND LENA (Drama Desk
and Obie Award) and Mary Tyrone in LONG DAYS JOURNEY
INTO NIGHT (Cable Ace Award). Other note worthy roles
include her artistry in ANNA LUCASTA, DO THE RIGHT
THING, BUCK AND THE PREACHER, WEDDING BAND, ST LUCY’S
EYES, THE JACKIE ROBINSON STORY, JUNGLE FEVER, COUNTDOWN
IN KUSINI(Co-Producer),GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN and
DECORATION DAY for which she was awarded an Emmy.
An inductee in the THEATRE
HALL OF FAME, Ms. Dee is also a member of the NAACP
IMAGE AWARD HALL OF FAME, the recipient of the NATIONAL
MEDAL OF ARTS AWARD, the SILVER CIRCLE AWARD of the
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Screen
Actors Guild LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD. IN 2004, Ms.
Dee & Mr. Davis were recipients of the JOHN F. KENNEDY
CENTER honors. Ms. Dee is a proud member of Actors’
Equity Association, the Screen Actors Guild, the Writers
Guild and the American Federation of Television and
Radio Artists.
Sharon Hope
(Miss
Kate)
Sharon Hope was
recently seen in her solo performance Mrs. Reader at the
Broadway Comedy Club. She performed the role of Shirley
Chisholm in her original one woman show “Making History
Again: Fighting Shirley Chisholm” for AFTRA’s March
celebration of Women, and for the 2nd annual 2012
Juneteenth Festival of Plays. She was also featured in
“Shirley Chisholm: Catalyst for Change” which celebrated
Black History Month in 2011.She has performed in Equity
Regional Theaters, SAG/AFTRA industrial films, and in
the roles of Travel Agent, Judge, and Mother in “Law and
Order” TV episodes. Film credits include: “The Cycle”,
winner HBO short film award; Little Senegal Nominated
for the Golden Bear Award – Berlin Film Festival; and
the soon to be released films “The Boarding House” and
“The Newlyweds.”
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