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Entertainment
Kelelchi Ezi
Buffalo’s Own Kelechi Ezie Stars in New Series Lovely Kelelchi Ezi, who describes herself as “a proud native of Buffalo,New York,” is starring in a new hospital streaming series called “Heartbeats.” The show, which is performed live, can be seen on Twitch.tv/RipleyImprov Fridays at 7 p.m. In the show she plays Dr. Tanisha Uche Witherspoon. An actress, singer and writer, Kelelchi is the daughter of a Nigerian father, the late Michael C. Ezie, and a Buffalonian mother, Dr. Leslie Clapp. She is the granddaughter of revered Buffalo Public School educators Claude and Ouida Clapp. She attended St. Martin de Porres Chuch. A graduate of City Honors High School, Kelechi went on to Princeton University, graduating cum laude in History with certificates in Theatre & Dance and African American Studies.
Challenger Community News • t hec hallengernews.com •October 7, 2020
A CURTAIN UP SMILE: The African American Cultural Center Team held a private watch party for this year’s 39th Annual Curtain Up with the Center’s new Director Tina WashingtonAbubeker who also made new staff announcements. The Theatre also shared their plans for the 2020-2021 season programming during the virtual event which took place September 18. Pictured left to right Tina Washington Abubeker -Executive Director, Marilyn Gault- V.C. Board of Directors, Annette Daniels Taylor- Artistic Director, Ary Bonner- Board. Of Directors, Heather McClain- Board. Of Directors, Dorthea Baxter-Hughes-Chair of the Board of Directors. Challenger Photo Kelelchi Ezi continued Kelechi wrote, co-produced and starred in award-winning short film The Truth About Beauty and Blogs, her first ever screenplay. Kelechi played Mrs. Brown BOOK OF MORMON FIRST NATIONAL TOUR, and recently appeared in the recurring role Letitia on HBO's The Deuce, Season 2. She is host of Cake and Kombucha Podcast. Follow her on @ kelezie and subscribe at your local podcast factory. Apple, Spotify, and Soundcloud :)
