Legendary actress, director and producer Phylicia Rashad was the guest speaker at the C-Suite Luncheon during the 24th annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF). Started by Stephanie Tavares-Rance, who co-founded MVAAFF along with her husband, Floyd Rance, the luncheon and its accompanying summit uplifts, supports and connects executives, business owners and women leaders of color.
This year’s luncheon, sponsored by AARP, focused on Rashad’s legacy — from “The Cosby Show” to more recent roles in “The Gilded Age” and the “Creed” movies — and the new study from AARP’s Movies for Grownups, “Bridging the Gap: The Path to More Authentic Portrayals of Black Adults in Movies and TV.” According to the study, Black adults attend movies and consume television and streaming content at higher rates than the general U.S. population. Moreover, the study found that audiences see older Black women as influential cultural figures, and when they are showcased on television, viewers feel more positive about aging.
When asked about her legacy, Rashad mentioned those closest to her. “My mother. My father, my grandparents, the communities in which they were born, and I was privileged to know as a child — that’s what I think about when I hear about legacy, because that’s what flows through,” she told AARP’s CEO, Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan.
