Legacy Talk with Lena Waithe

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 of women who shaped her and showed love for their community, sharing how true artistry means exploring the full range of the human experience. A conversation as luminous, soulful, and eternal as Phylicia herself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, paying it forward to mentor rising talent like Taraji P. Henson, and the power of telling our stories with truth and dignity. A conversation as rich, timeless, and enduring as his legacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 side, and finding freedom in comedy—reminding us why she’s one of the culture’s most essential voices. Just like Kym herself, her story is equal parts hilarious, vulnerable, and inspiring.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 showcased her depth in Oliver Stone’s Any Given Sunday. Ambitious, hungry, and determined to be more than just “the pretty girl,” Lela pushed herself in every role, building characters holistically and intentionally, and showing Hollywood she had both the beauty and the talent to back it up. Lena reminds us why Lela Rochon remains undeniable – a true staple in Black culture whose performances continue to live on today.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 stigma of voice acting to get cast in onscreen roles, the excitement of guest starring on iconic TV shows like Living Single and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, voicing the first Black Disney princess in Atlantis: The Lost Empire -- and agreeing on the one woman in Hollywood they'd do anything for. Cree is beloved in Hollywood, and beloved by Lena -- and you'll fall in love with her too after hearing this conversation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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, and grace. In this conversation, Lena shines a light on Loretta’s triumphs and heartbreaks – from the grueling years of Broadway that prepared her for Hollywood, to the sting of being overlooked, to the joy of working hard and getting it right. Loretta also reflects on what it means to be a great actress and how to keep evolving in an industry that often tells women they’re done.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 everything -- from an audition fashion misstep she'll never forget, working alongside some of Hollywood's biggest names, and being memorialized in one of the most memorable Oscar speeches. Vivica candidly traverses her four-decade-long career with laughter and humility, reflecting on her on-set memories with these fellow luminaries and how she learned from her star-power surroundings to carve her own path toward a legendary career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 Heartbeats, his work is kind, hopeful, and even "fatherly," by Lena's description -- but also so significant. Lena and Robert discuss a lot in this special conversation -- everything from casting overqualified people for roles, to how Eddie Murphy created his own genre of comedy, and how Robert has always been a little bit ahead of his time.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 learned to work magic on a shoestring budget, Lena's memories of seeing the world premiere of Selma (and how that film changed Ava's life), the power of reaching a global audience, and how Ava discovered the privilege of learning and evolving her perspective on the world while making documentaries. Throughout the conversation, it's clear that both Lena and Ava share a deep reverence for history -- and the stories we can find to tell from our pasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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 storytellers. They discuss her early days writing for A Different World, the real life inspiration behind the character Maxine Shaw, collaborating with Kenya Barris on Black-ish and Justin Simien on Dear White People, and what it truly takes to be a great television writer. Yvette reflects on fighting to get your stories told and inspiring others to claim their place on the screen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.