Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Akuyoe Graham. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Akuyoe, thanks for joining us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Writing my one-woman play and then performing it around the country. 30 years ago, I wrote Spirit Awakening; a one-woman play chronicling my life’s journey from Ghana, to London to the United States. In the piece, I penned some of the most traumatic experiences that I’d had as a child- leaving the comfort of my Ghanaian home- a tribal princess- joining my mother in London- and consequently becoming “a mere speck of pepper in a sea of salt…” It was also in London where I was sexually assaulted at the tender age of 8; where my beautiful, courageous single mother worked tirelessly to make sure I received a good education and traveled throughout Europe. The stories of my childhood and early adulthood came pouring out of me; I quoted verses from Shakespeare I didn’t even know I knew; there were 12 distinct characters from my life, male/female; black/white; friend/foe; and family members- present and absent- all penned on the pages of my play. Spirit Awakening allowed me to excavate the experiences and beliefs that had shaped my life, and through the re-enactment of the scenes of my formative years, I was able to exorcise the ghosts of my past, and tap into the courage I needed to love and accept myself. I discovered a self that was not tainted or daunted by the slings and arrows of life’s misfortunes and found a whole new life for myself.

I received outstanding reviews- (Ray Loynd of the LA Times said: Spirit Awakening lifts the solo dramatic genre to heights rarely reached…); I got signed with a booking agent that also repped – (at the time) Oprah Winfrey and Bill Clinton; I began to tour colleges and art institutions around the country- my bookings earned me between 5-15K per show.- (this was in mid 90’s). I remember receiving my first check for a performance of my play- and I just couldn’t believe I could actually take care of myself through something that I had entirely created on my own.

The piece is provocative- I took performance inspiration from the amazing Alvin Ailey Dance Theater and specifically Judith Jamison- I wanted to soar on stage as she did in the piece entitled “Cry.”

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’ve always wanted to act, write, perform, teach , mentor- help others; this has always been my calling. Writing the play Spirit Awakening gave me the platform to do just that. As difficult an industry as the entertainment industry is; being able to generate work for myself was extremely cathartic, empowering and liberating; I wasn’t beholding to anyone to live a full and meaningful life.

Spirit Awakening gave birth to workshops, speaking engagements and some guest roles in tv shows and feature parts in independent films. The workshops eventually led to the creation of Spirit Awakening Foundation- a nonprofit arts organization that uses meditation and mindfulness practices to mentor and guide teens and young adults. Using the techniques I used to write my one-woman play, I was able to create an entire curriculum, and train other artists to teach this curriculum. I started out as a volunteer in the juvenile justice system, mentoring child detainees. Spirit Awakening Foundation is now in 11 places- juvenile halls; probation camps; high schools; and community centers throughout Los Angeles. 2025 marks 30 years of serving our younger citizens- collaborating with LA County’s Department of Art and Culture, the Board of Supervisors, LAUSD, and other school districts. I’ve discovered the world of philanthropy and am grateful that Spirit Awakening receives support from many of them.

I also received a Spiritual Counseling license from the Agape International Spiritual Center and have clients that I counsel. I Am currently in the final editing stage of the filmed version of the Spirit Awakening play and am excited to reach a wider audience with this story of healing and redemption.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Being able to hold a mirror to society through an artistic creative medium; being my own boss- I Am so deeply grateful that I get to live an authentic life. Yes I work with people- I have agents and managers- however, I do have agency over my life and I can say yes or no according to that which is mine to do.

One of my students once said of me: “if you don’t want the truth, don’t talk to or ask Akuyoe anything; she will not lie to you.;” that was such a high compliment; I Am a lover of Truth and it starts with me being intentional and truthful with myself.

Artists’ work can free and strengthen generations of people- I’m thinking of James Baldwin; Edwidge Danticat, Rita and Bob Marley- Kendrick Lamar, Cynthia Erivo and numerous others.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission is to hold a mirror to what is possible from seemingly “nothing;” my intention is to create beauty and to empower; and to liberate others from the shacles of self-sabotaging beliefs and behaviors.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.spiritawakening.org; www.akuyoe.com
• Instagram: @akuyoegraham; @thespiritawakening
• Facebook: Akuyoe Graham
• Linkedin: Akuyoe Graham
• Twitter: Akuyoe Graham
• Youtube: Akuyoe Graham

Image Credits

Spirit Awakening Foundation