Featured Guest Speaker: Daphne Maxwell Reid
Daphne Maxwell Reid is the first African American woman to make the cover of Glamour magazine and one of television history's most beloved sitcom moms. She now balances her acting gigs with her work as a photographic artist, clothing designer, and education activist, demonstrating that it's never too late to pursue new passions and find new opportunities.
Maxwell broke many barriers in her career, arriving into the industry at just the right moment as a new perspective on race was emerging in the wake of the civil rights movement. Being among the first of a few black women to work in popular television reminds me that one doesn't choose to be a pioneer," she says today. "One does what comes next in their journey, and sometimes you happen to be the first to do it."
Reid's creative journey began as a child in Manhattan. Her father had studied photography, and passed on his love of the medium to young Daphne. "We always had cameras in the house," she remembers, and her father's passion for the photographic image is something that she would carry with her throughout her life.
But first, she worked as a model, parlaying her success in that field into an acting career that found her on dozens of television series in the 1980s. With guest starring roles in shows like "WKRP in Cincinnati", "Hill Street Blues," "Simon and Simon," and "Frank's Place". But it was in the role of Vivian Banks in the last three seasons of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" with Will Smith that endeared Reid to a new generation of fans.
Reid has turned in recent years to her lifelong passion for fashion and photography. Of particular pride are her designs for Chinese-inspired jackets that are bold, colorful, and versatile. Her line (Daphne Style) is featured on her website daphnemaxwellreid.com.
Ultimately, Reid's life is a testament to the power of learning: whether it was learning passion from her father, or attending university, or teaching herself new careers. It's no wonder that she extends that experience to others in the form of working with Virginia State University.
To read more, visit: http://www.daphnemaxwellreid.com/
Host: Antoinette Essa
Antoinette Essa joined the CBS 6 family in September of 2009, as a reporter for The "A List" a segment featuring events in and around the Richmond Metropolitan area. She also Co-Anchors the CBS 6 Saturday Weekend Morning Newscast. In addition she does daily blogs on http://www.wtvr.com/alist, Facebook & Twitter.
Antoinette's experience spans over twenty three years of working in Radio and Television in the Richmond area but she started her Broadcast Career in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa, where she was born, she moved to the United States in 1977.
Antoinette has been awarded Volunteer Services Certificates by The American Legion, The American Red Cross for Survivors of Hurricane Katrina, The Virginia Jazz Award for Jazz Service, Certificate for Appreciation from Henrico County Division of Police and Community Service Award.