Meet the Multi-Talented Okema T. Moore
/The theme of Black History Month this year is African Americans and the Arts. As a member of the arts community, Broadway Stages is thrilled to recognize the accomplished work of Okema T. Moore.
Okema T. Moore is an actress, producer, writer, director, and entrepreneur. She is a first-generation American born in Brooklyn, New York. Her father was born in Guyana, and her mother was born in Barbados. She was lucky enough to spend her early childhood between Guyana (South Ruimveldt, Georgetown) and Brooklyn and traveling the Caribbean.
Growing up, her mother enrolled her in acting, dance, and music to keep her preoccupied on weekends. And her mother’s efforts paid off. In 1985, she landed a role on a season of the popular children’s program “Sesame Street.” After that she joined an all-girl group in Brooklyn called Cuties in Affect (C.I.A.). With this group, she was able to perform with artists such as SWV, Biggie, and Tupac.
As an adult, she has performed on Broadway in Dreamgirls, won several awards for her one-act plays, and co-produced a project nominated for a Single Spot Emmy in 2013. In 2019, she premiered at Tribeca N.O.W. and won Best Web Series for Little Apple at the American Black Film Festival as a co-producer.
It is an altruistic spirit that drives her achievements. She said, “I create to represent voices, perspectives, and stories that deserve the shine,” and “The ability to bring BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) creatives to the table makes me so happy, as lifting while I climb is essential.”
And she has empowered herself to make that happen with her business MOOREthanEnuff Media & Consulting. About the name, she said, “As an actor, if you don’t bring your confidence to the table…it shows...That is why I named my company MOOREthanEnuff Media & Consulting. Not just because my last name is Moore, but to remind myself as well.”
Okema brings solid business experience to running her own company. She holds a BS in finance and business from Brooklyn College (she is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority) and has worked in the finance industry. In addition, she has a Producing Certification from NYU. This certification has been put to use with her work for Netflix, Spotify, Nickelodeon, Dreamworks FOX, OWN, and the Food Network, with a documentary series for PBS and American Masters.
Moore is committed to continuing to lift while she climbs, building up women, queer, Indigenous, POC, and Black creatives as she simultaneously strives for continued success in her own creative career. She noted, “As a creator, I am able to create opportunities for others. By writing, I’ve now created a need for talent to bring that writing to life. As a producer, I’m hiring a crew that can be ethnically and gender diverse.” She also brings that advocacy to her role as a board member of NYWIFT and the Black TV & Film Collective.
As you can see, Moore has many irons in the fire. Broadway Stages knows that with her combination of drive and talent, the sky is the limit. To stay abreast of the latest, you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook. We look forward to seeing what story she brings to life next!