5 Black Actors on Broadway You'll Want To Follow

As Black Lives Matter protests surge around the world, we are reminded that Broadway has long been inaccessible to the Black community.

Yes - actors are breaking barriers, but Broadway still has a long way to go on diversity.

According to a recent study by Actor’s Equity Association, the theatrical union for actors and stage managers, only 4,356 (8.4%) of all members identify as Black.

With the statistics leaning against them, these 5 actors defied all odds…

Follow their journeys as they continue to make history on Broadway.

1. Jelani Alladin

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“It’s like a dream I thought could never be” How, how do I possibly sum up this experience... I come back to these two words, THANK YOU! I am in debt to all of you. Thank you to everyone at Disney and Disney Theatricals, to all the creators, all the designers, stage management team, the crew, St. James staff, the orchestra, my fellow actors, my family, my friends, my teachers, my mentors, my representation, this amazing broadway community, all those that came to the show, and all the fans worldwide. This chapter may be ending, but new ones are waiting to be written! My heart is FULL. #frozen #kristoff #broadwaydebut #blackbroadway #blackhistory #inclusion #diversity #gratitude

A post shared by Jelani Alladin (@jelanialladin) on Feb 16, 2019 at 9:09pm PST

Jelani Alladin recently made his debut as originating the role of Kristoff in Disney’s Frozen on Broadway. Not only has he been using his social media platform to create important conversations about racial equality on Broadway, but he has also started his own production company, is working on a children's musical, finished writing a TV series and is optioning a solo play (according to an interview with Broadway World).

2. Ephraim Sykes

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I am a BLACK MAN!..... I build .... I don’t tear down other BLACK MEN! ....I have felt the pain of being torn down and I have decided I will be deliberate about building others! If I didn’t tag you, please don’t be offended. I tried to pick people I thought would do this challenge. All too often, we men find it easier to criticize each other, instead of building each other up. With all the negativity going around let’s do something positive!!🌟 Upload 1 picture of yourself...ONLY you. Then tag as many brothers as you can. Let’s build ourselves up, instead of tearing ourselves down. Stand tall, stand proud ✊🏾🖤🤎Black Lives Matter! #BlackLivesMatter

A post shared by Ephraim Sykes (@ephsykes) on Jun 5, 2020 at 7:37am PDT

Broadway vet Ephraim Sykes originated the role of David Ruffin in the hit musical Ain't Too Proud. He also appeared on television playing Seaweed J. Stubbs in NBC's live production of Hairspray Live!.  Other Broadway credits include: The Little Mermaid, Memphis, Rent, Newsies, Motown: The Musical, and Hamilton. He is slated to portray icon Michael Jackson in the 2021 Broadway production, MJ: The Musical.

3. James Monroe Iglehart

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I am a BLACK MAN!....I build....I don’t tear down other BLACK MEN!.... I have felt the pain of being torn down and I have decided I will be deliberate about building others up! With all the negativity going around let’s do something positive 🌟 If you would like to participate upload a picture of yourself and share! Let’s build each other up and not tear each other down! 👊🏾👊🏾👊🏾Copy and paste✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾

A post shared by JM Iglehart (@jmiglehart) on Jun 5, 2020 at 3:33pm PDT

James Monroe Iglehart is perhaps best known for his Tony Award-winning performance as the Genie in the original Broadway production of Aladdin. Other Broadway credits include: Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton, Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and Memphis.

4. Noah J. Ricketts

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I am a black man. I build up. I don't tear down other black men. I have felt the pain of being torn down and I have decided I will be deliberate about building up others. All too often, we men find it easier to criticize each other, instead of building each other up. With all the negativity going around let's do something positive. ❤️✊🏽 if you are tagged in this picture... it’s because you are a beautiful black man and I love and support you. Spread Love Not Hate.

A post shared by Noah J. Ricketts (@noahjrkts) on Jun 6, 2020 at 1:10pm PDT

Noah J. Ricketts made his Broadway debut as A Drifter in Beautiful and was a part of the original Broadway company of Frozen before taking on the role of Kristoff full-time. 

5. Dharon E. Jones

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MOOD because @westsidestorybway officially opens tonight ‼️ 📸: Jan Versweyveld

A post shared by Dharon 🤎 (@dharonejones) on Feb 20, 2020 at 9:06am PST

Dharon E. Jones, a Brooklyn native, made his Broadway debut in the most recent revival of West Side Story as the first ever African-American Riff. He began dancing at the National Dance Institute and went on to graduate from Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School. Television: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.

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