Reppin 5.3: Gina Yashere

Gina Yashere

Gina Yashere was born and raised in London to Nigerian Parents. She is an award winning stand up comic, author, co-creator, writer, co-executive producer and co-stars in the hit Bob Hearts Abishola on CBS.

Gina is well known as a comic and TV star in the UK for numerous years now, with appearances on iconic TV shows such as Live At The Apollo & Mock The Week, as well as creating & performing the hugely popular comedic characters, Tanya & Mrs. Omokerede on The Lenny Henry Show.

She broke onto the American comedy scene with her appearances on Last Comic Standing, you also know her for being the only British comedian to ever appear on the iconic Def Comedy Jam, as well as for her appearances on The Tonight Show & Crashing on HBO. She’s also regularly featured on Comedy Central as the British Correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.

Gina self produced 3 separate 1 hour Stand Up Specials, Skinny B*tch, Laughing To America, & Ticking Boxes, two of which are currently streaming on Netflix.

She’s entertained and made audiences around the world —but what did it take to get here? What kind of sacrifices or compromises did she have to make—or refuse to make? What kind of content does she want to create and why? Meet this amazing woman now.

Gina’s website: https://www.ginayashere.com/

Gina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ginayashere/

Gina’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/ginayashere

Gina’s book Cack Handed: https://www.amazon.com/Cack-Handed-A-Memoir/dp/B08KYKH999/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2E7U25Y5DE6ZF&keywords=cack+handed&qid=1642785174&sprefix=better+life+%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-1

Reppin 4.1: David Harewood

David Harewood

David Harewood is an incredible actor, producer and director. You’ve seen him starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Connolly in the film Blood Diamond, in Showtimes’s hit Homeland with with Claire Danes and Damian Lewis, he’s also been in The Night Manager, Man In The High Castle and most recently, he is the martian manhunter, Hank Henshaw, J'onn J'onzz in the CW fan favorite Supergirl.

He may seem like he’s lived a charmed life--but his personal journey has been filled with tremendous challenges. When he was a young actor in his twenties he faced intense racism from critics and audiences alike. The racism was so extreme that it undermined his sense of identity and ultimately triggered a psychotic break. He was hospitalized, treated and thankfully recovered.

In 2019, in an effort to help destigmatize mental illness, David and the BBC produced a powerful documentary called Psychosis and Me. In the film, David retraced his steps and learned for the first time, as the cameras rolled-what actually happened to him vs what he thought happened. He saw his medical records and how serious his mental condition really was.

Because of his personal experiences, he’s incredible advocate for countless charities, from mental health to fighting for more realistic representation in the arts for all ethnic backgrounds to encouraging minorities to vote.

David shares how facing his past and seeing his fault lines have made him a stronger, better man. And now, he’s fighting to help others. An incredible story of courage, strength and love.

A remarkably talented actor who is an even more remarkable human being. Meet him on Reppin.

David’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/DavidHarewood

David’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidharewood/?hl=en

Reppin 3.5: Aydian Dowling

Aydian Dowling

Aydian Dowling is most known for being the First Transgender Man on the cover of Mens Health Magazine, and appearing on the Ellen Degeneres show, twice! Using his own personal struggles he has given voice to the trans community, documenting his personal transition and sharing it on line. Since then, Aydian has been creating content answering questions and offering insight to those who may still be struggling.

In 2016, Aydian launched PointofPride.org a non profit which helps Transgender individuals around the world through programming and funding to help Trans people live more authentically in their bodies. 

On Reppin, Aydian talks about how he went from hiding who he was, how he summoned the courage to being liberated to live his most authentic life and finding acceptance and love. His story is one about overcoming fears, other people’s expectations and labels to truly embracing who you are.

Aydian’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/AydianDowling

Aydian’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alionsfear/

Point Of Pride: https://pointofpride.org/

Aydian’s Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCe5IabAzRyXqLpAib13Q2yw

Reppin 2.7: Sierra Boggess

Sierra Boggess

Sierra’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/sierraboggess

Sierra’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsierraboggess/

Sierra’s Website: https://sierraboggess.com/

Sierra Bogess is best known world-wide for the iconic role of ‘Christine Daae’ in Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera, but the creator and composer, Lord Webber has said “she’s the best, the best Christine certainly.”

Sierra made her Broadway debut as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, where she received the Drama Desk and Drama League Nominations, as well as the Broadway.com Audience Award for Favorite Female Breakthrough Performance. Her additional Broadway credits include Master Class, It Shoulda Been You, The Phantom of The Opera (Broadway, London’s West End and the televised 25th Anniversary production of Phantom), and School of Rock. In the West End, she has appeared as Fantine in Les Miserables and originated the role of Christine Daae in Love Never Dies, the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, receiving an Olivier Award Nomination for her performance.

Sierra has also toured all over the world with her concert show. Listen in on our conversation, she shares the lessons she’s learned, how she’s using her platform to make positive contributions and what she practices everyday. She is a beloved leading lady—meet the woman behind this incredible talent.