An accomplished actor and stage director, Phylicia Rashad became a household name when she portrayed Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show, a character whose enduring appeal has earned her numerous honors and awards for over two decades. She has appeared as Carol on NBC's This Is Us (2019 and 2020 Emmy nominations), Diana Dubois on the popular Fox TV series Empire, and as Dr. Woods-Trap in Tarrell Alvin McCraney's Peabody Award-winning series David Makes Man, on the OWN Network.

Phylicia Rashad-

While television was a catalyst in the rise of Rashad's career, she has also been a force on the stage, appearing both on and Off-Broadway, often in projects that showcase her musical talent such as Jelly's Last Jam, Into the Woods, Dreamgirls and The Wiz. In 2016, Ms. Rashad was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame and received the 2016 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play for her performance as Shelah in Tarell Alvin McCraney's Head of Passes at the Public Theater, a role which she reprised at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Rashad performed the role of the Duchess of Gloucester in Richard II, the 2020 Shakespeare on the Radio collaboration between The Public Theater and New York public radio station, WNYC. On Broadway, Ms. Rashad has performed as Violet Weston in August Osage County, Big Mama in Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (a role that she reprised on the London stage), Aunt Ester in August Wilson's Gem Of The Ocean, and more.

Brenda talks about years of stability, losing everything: My home, marriage, and business - without a regular paycheck to keep me afloat! The cherry on the cake? Finding out that no one in Hollywood wanted someone her age for their projects either. Everything can change so quickly but this 'Now What?' moment became an opportunity for her to start anew with a different perspective - giving women like herself (and beyond) an even louder voice than before!?

Brenda Braxton was destined for the stage. While most of her classmates at the famed High School of Performing Arts dreamed that their talents would one day be recognized, Brenda, a year after graduation, was cast in the hit Broadway show Guys & Dolls. But her real claim to fame was her performance in Broadway's musical revue SMOKEY JOE'S CAFÉ which earned her a Tony Award nomination, the NAACP Theater Award, the city of Chicago's Jefferson Award and a Grammy Award for Best Cast Album. She went on to star as Velma Kelly in Broadway's hit musical CHICAGO opposite USHER, BeBe Neuwirth, Rita Wilson and Brian McKnight. . Her other Broadway credits include, Jelly's Last Jam with Gregory Hines and Savion Glover, Cats, Legs Diamond and the original production of DREAMGIRLS with Jennifer Holiday. Her TV credits include Nurse Jackie, SMASH. She most recently is costarring as Partner Madeline Gilford on The Good Fight on CBS All Access. In realizing the importance of giving back she founded a not -for profit organization called, Leading Ladies Just for Teens (LLJFT), seminars geared toward empowering young girls to be the best they can be. Leading Ladies began in 1996 at the Virginia Theater with a series of seminars designed to encourage, challenge and inspire young girls to dream and set goals.

An accomplished actor and stage director, Phylicia Rashad became a household name when she portrayed Claire Huxtable on The Cosby Show, a character whose enduring appeal has earned her numerous honors and awards for over two decades. She has appeared as Carol on NBC’s This Is Us (2019 and 2020 Emmy nominations), Diana Dubois on the popular Fox TV series Empire, and as Dr. Woods-Trap in Tarrell Alvin McCraney's Peabody Award-winning series David Makes Man, on the OWN Network. In 2004, Ms. Rashad made history as the first Black actress to win the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her portrayal of Lena Younger in A Raisin in the Sun. She continued to grace the stage with performances in productions such as Gem of the Ocean and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Her excellence was further recognized in 2022 when she won her second Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for Skeleton Crew.

Beyond her acting career, Ms. Rashad has been a dedicated educator, serving as the dean of the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University from 2021 to 2024. Her leadership has inspired a new generation of artists and performers.

Her enduring commitment to the arts and education exemplifies the spirit of excellence and service. Please join me in welcoming the incomparable Phylicia Rashad.

Vy Higginsen, noted author, playwright, radio and TV personality, has garnered an excellent reputation and won many awards for providing excellent classic black Gospel musicals to African-American audiences. After a decade of being behind the microphone as the first woman in New York primetime radio on major New York stations (WBLS-FM, WWRL-AM, WRKS-FM), Vy published and edited Unique NY, a lifestyles magazine designed for African-Americans and tourists.

What’s Hot! HarlemAmerica with G. Keith Alexander is the crossroads where culture, lifestyle, and community meet. Legendary New York radio/TV personality, G. Keith Alexander will tap into the who’s who in Entertainment, Empowerment, and Health & Wellness to bring you exciting and unparalleled content. The G. Keith Alexander brand is that of an authentic New York City icon built on over thirty years of radio and TV.

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to tee off into a world of inspiration, empowerment, and groundbreaking achievement! Welcome to a very special episode of WHAT'S HOT! HarlemAmerica with G. Keith Alexander. Today, we have a trailblazing guest who has transformed the world of golf and shattered glass ceilings like never before. She's not just a media expert, but a visionary who has taken the golfing world by storm. Debert Cook is joining us, the brilliant mind behind the African American Golfer’s Digest, a publication that's not only changed the game but history itself.

G. Keith welcomes Vanessa Bell Calloway, a seasoned actress, currently dazzling audiences on Broadway, starring in Purlie Victorious. Besides acting, Vanessa's directorial ventures exhibit her boundless talent and enduring presence in Hollywood.

Such's latest single “All I Want”, a top 20 Urban Adult Contemporary hit, oozes with the growing self-confidence of a woman who knows what she wants, and how and when she wants it. “I’ve been on this road to discovering who I am as a Black woman and someone who is a little more comfortable in her skin.” Such shares this journey with her new album, ‘WIDE NOSE, FULL LIPS'

Join us as the acclaimed Photographer to the Stars, Ronnie Wright, takes center stage on WHAT'S HOT! with G. Keith Alexander. Discover the captivating stories behind Ronnie's 40-year journey documenting Hip Hop's finest and his iconic moments with A-list celebrities. Hear first-hand accounts of working alongside legends like Michael Jackson and Beyonce. Don't miss this extraordinary episode as G. Keith Alexander delves into the world of celebrity photography with the master lensman himself, Ronnie Wright.

With the world facing immense tragedies and challenges in 2020 due to COVID-19, Gloria Gaynor helped usher in 2021 by singing her global anthem, “I Will Survive,” in New York City’s Times Square, honoring first responders and essential & frontline workers. Her performance was streamed around the world by the Times Square Alliance to a global audience of millions.

A decorated Actress/Director/Author/Producer/Community Activist/Motivational Speaker and more, Phyllis is best known and respected for her work in film, stage, television, and comedy. Phyllis’s most notable roles are in films such as New Jack City, Die Hard With A Vengeance, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, The Inkwell, What’s Love Got To Do With It? and Malcolm X, among her in-depth film credits. Her recent contribution to the screen is Gun Hill written and directed by Reggie “Rock” Bythewood starring Larenz Tate BET’s first dramatic series.

What’s Hot! HarlemAmerica with G. Keith Alexander is the crossroads where culture, lifestyle, and community meet. Legendary New York radio/TV personality, G. Keith Alexander will tap into the who’s who in Entertainment, Empowerment, and Health & Wellness to bring you exciting and unparalleled content. The G. Keith Alexander brand is that of an authentic New York City icon built on over thirty years of radio and television broadcasting excellence.