Thuli is winner of the Sir Lawrence Olivier Award in London and the Obie in New York for her lead role in Poppie Nongena. She’s the winner of three (3) Audelco Awards in New York for writing, directing and performing her one woman show Buya Africa, she also won the FNB Vita Award when she performed Buya Africa at the Civic theatre in Johannesburg South Africa. Thuli played Rafiki in the Lion King on Broadway, Poppie Nongena in New York, London, Toronto, Australia and Chicago. She performed Bongi in Bongi’s Journey at Crossroads theatre in New Brunswick, Lost in the Stars on Broadway, Kamadonsela (Lady Macbeth) in Welcome Msomi’s Umabatha in South Africa and abroad. Sheila’s Day at Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick and The Market Theatre in Johannesburg, Madre in Juan Darien Off Broadway and many more. Thuli was the featured soloist in the movies Cry Freedom and Power of One and Serengeti for Imax Theatre. She also did a lot of commercials. Thuli has toured the world doing concert shows during the Apartheid time raising awareness about the plight of fellow South Africans. She has memorable moments when she was working with the late Miriam Makeba. She was the lead singer in a female group, Thokoza and was honoured when she participated in Mandela’s 80th birthday celebration. She was invited by the department of Education in New York to tour schools teaching young people about the role of Africa in the world through music and dance. Thuli was a vocal coach for Sarafina on Broadway and was vocal coach and musical director for Sheila’s Day. She was the choreographer for Umabatha, Muntu Dance Theatre in Chicago and Dinizulu Dance Company. Thuli was the Dance Director for IZulu Dance Theatre Company for 7 years. Thuli continues to work with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Lion King Companies in America, providing them with beaded merchandise to raise funds for HIV/AIDS. She has a group of 20 rural women in the village of Galibasi in Muden KZN in South Africa that do beadwork and sell it abroad to theatre goers in New York. Part of the money raised goes to AIDS organizations in SA.
Yusef Salaam was one of five black and
Latino teenagers from Harlem who in 1989 were arrested and later
convicted of brutally beating and raping a white woman in New York
City’s Central Park. New York Mayor Ed Koch called it the “crime of the
century” and it remains to date one of the biggest media stories of our
time. The five each spent between 6 and 13 years in prison before a
shocking confession from a serial rapist and DNA evidence proved their
innocence. Set against a backdrop of a decaying city beset by violence
and racial tension, THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE documentary tells the story of
how five lives were upended by the rush to judgment by police, a
sensationalist media and a devastating miscarriage of justice.
Karen Hudson, also recognized in entertainment industry circles as Kay Konnect is the Deputy Editor of MommyNoire.com, a parenting site dedicated to mature, multicultural women seeking organic dialogue about parenthood in the digital space. A unique place for critical and creative engagement, MommyNoire responds to the desire of this cosmopolitan community with tips and advice in every aspect of parenting, including marriage, relationships, sex, career mobility, education, finance, fitness, nutrition, community, and philanthropic work. Explorations of the jet-setting lifestyles of celebrity moms such as Beyonce, Nia Long, Monica, Tia Mowry- Hardrict, Kelis, Mel B, and Jada Pinkett fuel inspiration and aspiration. Coverage of front row fashion, eclectic beauty, makeup, exquisite food, modern home decor, entertainment, and travel help women realize the full aesthetic potential of their new lives as moms. Karen has worked in the fields of writing, media, marketing, advertising, fashion, the arts and education. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Mixtape Magazine, a print publication dedicated to mixtape DJs and emerging Hip Hop artists, as well as former freelance writer for Allhiphop.com.
In 2005, she graduated Cum Laude from Northeastern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies, with a focus on the Art and Structure of Storytelling. She also holds a degree in Advertising Sales and will soon graduate with a master's degree in Media Studies. She is the mother of a 2 year old, busy toddler. Due to a high risk pregnancy, her son, Kannon, was born at 30 weeks. She spent two months in the hospital on bed rest and he spent an additional 8 weeks in the NICU. That experience shifted her priorities to pursuing a career that sheds light on the parenting journey.
Check out the new Official music video for "Material Star" featuring Akil Dasan, We've already put this one in our heavy rotation. It's the first single from Collette's new album Juneteenth Revolution. Juneteenth Revolution hits stores on Dec. 4th.
