We recently connected with Genia Lear Morgan and have shared our conversation below.
Genia, we appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
When I was a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. neophyte, we had a step show competition rehearsal for a National Convention. Kirsten, a prophyte at the University who was a dancer and fitness professional, popped in to observe and say hello to the step mistress (her Line sister, Timi).
After practice, our lovely Sorority sister pulls Stacey, one of my line sisters and I to the side. She stealthily whispers, “Hey, would you like to travel, dance and step around the world?” Stacey and I incredulously looked at one another. We answer, “Yeah, sure. Why not?!” (giggle)
After quick consideration and a brief, inspiring conversation, I leaped. Taking that risk evolved into the three of us being first ladies and trailblazing members of a non-profit cultural exchange organization and professional dance Company called, StepAfrika!. It is founded by C. Brian Williams and originally supported by his Fraternity brothers. Our Sorority sister was the first Artistic Director, and I was the first female soloist.
It was one of the riskiest decisions that I cherish to this day. As we traveled the world performing, learning, instructing, creating and exchanging art forms, meeting amazing people of all kinds (well known or otherwise), teaching the most wonderful children and courageous adults, developing lifelong extended framily, my life is forever enhanced! We have maintained the opportunity to further create a cultural phenomenon which continues to flourish nationally and globally as we speak. Edutainment at its finest. Asé!
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?
My name is Genia Lear Morgan, and I am a community-focused and family-oriented St. Louis native armed with an M.A. from Howard University in Communication, Intercultural & Rhetoric and B.A. in Communication with a Theater emphasis from the University of Missouri, Columbia.
When I was a child, my mother took me to see “The Wiz.” I was smitten by the performances, music and atmosphere. While balancing academia and dabbling in various instruments (settling in on flute and percussion), dancing fever hits. With regard to acting, one of my older cousins, Trent, used to let me pretend I was a cat. As a budding thespian, I went all out…drinking water from a bowl, purring and clawing to be pet!
After training and primarily being known as a dancer, I am also fortunate to incorporate actor/producer, model, web publisher and pet/kid whisperer into my skill sets. I have always loved fashion, photography and movies. Even my dreams of walking/dancing in Paris and NY Fashion Weeks with Team Vicious for Rick Owens, mostly due to relationships (big thanks to the dynamic Noble mother/daughter duo) and modeling in various other capacities have come true. Who knew my hands could work as often as the rest of me? MESSAGE: Never allow anyone to tell you what can not be done, especially if you don’t fit a certain “type.”
Back to being a pet/kid whisperer… Animals and children tend to love me and respond unusually well 99% percent of the time (smile). With care, attention, patience and some fun, they are so receptive to learning! Perhaps, it’s my effervescence and child-like spirit that resonates. This also may explain why I love adventure and animation. Sidebar: I would love to record more of those colorful voice-overs!
Traditional and competitive dance training began at Pelagie Wren Academy with ballet, tap, jazz; Katherine Dunham’s Studio for Dunham Technique and a Dance Arts Studio scholarship for extended training in Columbia, MO. I later explored modern, hip-hop, pole and other exciting ethnic art forms such as Stepping, Gumboot, Zulu, and more while in DC, NY and other parts of the world.
As a life-long member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an original Company Member of StepAfrika!, it is exciting to pass the torch to future generations who continue phenomenal work, culturally relevant art forms and the impact we love. For example, I am extremely grateful for StepAfrika! being the first dance company inducted into the 2023 NACA Hall of Fame (I remember our first NACA audition). https://www.naca.
Besides dance, my passion lies with independent, foreign film and series TV that take daring risks and tell complex stories with unique perspectives. Collaborations with Lawrence “Law” Watford (Divine Write Pictures, Tyler Street Films) and Bobby De Jesus have enabled us to create three heartfelt short films which stand alone or are calling cards for future expansion projects. We are so grateful for all of the fantastic industry and community support thus far.
Some of my credits include:
Off Broadway: “For Colored Girls,” “Spell #7,” “The Taking of Miss Janie;”
Plays: “Electric Lady,” “Red,” “Long Time Since Yesterday;”
Dance: StepAfrika!, Rick Owens Team Vicious Paris/NY Fashion Weeks; Universal, Blackground Records;
TV-Film/Commercial/Print Modeling including voice overs, industrials, and special events:
“The Girls are Alright,” Spotify, Carol’s Daughter, Crunch Fitness, New York Life, BK Museum Sneaker Culture Exhibit, Ecowrist Watches, Flaunt Magazine, WWD, O Mag, Essie, Sally Hansen, Grand Theft Auto Series, Scholastic Instructor, “All my Children,” Comedy Central, NBC, HBO, VH1, McD’s, “Hitch;”
Additional Indie Films: “Shadow Acting,” “Catharsis,” “Sins of the Father,” “Savior & The Samaritan.”
Finally, in my journey as an artist, I have been fortunate to utilize another skill set in web publishing at NYLife in addition to booking studio and modeling projects with Studio 51.
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
As simple as this sounds, I wish I knew about the “Environmental Working Group” and “Think Dirty” much earlier in my creative journey. We can research any product, ingredient or chemical and cross reference with other findings.
As a creative, I want my body, soul and spirit to be optimal in order to execute, comprehend and be most resilient to internal/external stressors. Therefore, I have been on a holistic, cleaner and greener path to divine health and wellness. By no means is this a fanatic perfection pursuit. My goal is alignment, moderation and to just plain feel empowered and good.
Chemical culprits that negatively disrupt and rob our precious temples that we don’t see, exist in our food, water, air and hair/body products, etc. Once I became aware, I understood the assignment and began to make changes. Had I known any of this earlier, I would probably look and feel like a pre-teen.
I noticed the physical and mental benefits of better food sourcing and choices, air and water purification and removal of toxic supplements and products that go in or on my body. Increasing meditation with prayer, breath work, sleep quality, strength and flexibility with Kemetic, Buti, other yoga disciplines (available at The Fitness Collective ATL) and cross trainings are great for my body and soul, Corporate worship (shout out to my church, EBC BK), consistent reading, personal development and of course dance are priorities.
Toxicity (products, environment, people) insidiously affects us all. Through wisdom, I have agency and want my brain and body to have longevity, adapt and be as abundantly healthy as they think they need to be for all of my creative endeavors and in life. I am always a work in progress.
“In life, practice gratitude, laugh often, dance like no one’s watching…and drink clean water.”
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Yes, indeed! There are several, however below are three books that have significantly impacted my personal development;
“Atomic Habits” by James Clear
This book was recommended by a surrogate mentor. Even if I thought I was doing pretty well in that department, it has helped me shift and improve my perspective on time management, procrastination and consistency overall. Healthy habits and stacking on auto-pilot are a game changer.
“Mindset” by Dr. Carol Dweck
(I found this book for free initially at a stoop sale. Then, it was later recommended by a mentor. How’s that for Divine confirmation?
Either we are limited or liberated by our mindset. Given our past disappointments, traumas, and fears, we are often in a tango or delicate balancing act for consonance and growth. This book illuminates a blind spot I didn’t know I had. I’m encouraged to soar like an eagle while paying it forward and excited about being a perpetual student of life.
“Emotional Intelligence 2.0” by Jean Greaves and Travis Bradberry
(Dr. George C. Fraser personally recommended this book to me for which I am forever grateful.)
This book and test subtly help with more awareness and management of emotions pertaining to myself and others. These insights create additional understanding for why we respond the way we do. It is definitely a practice…like yoga. And, practice makes permanent progress.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.imdb.me/genialearmorgan
- Instagram: @redelish
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.
com/geniareddelishmorgan - Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/genialearmorgan
- Twitter: @reddelish
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@gmrgn
- Other: SHADOW ACTING STORY UPDATES https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/shadow-acting-a-film-about-love-conflict-and-ego
Image Credits
Hollis King – Beach Action, Main HeadShot
Cheyenne Bostick – Additional Headshot
Marcus Tondo – Vogue
Scholastic Cover – Scholastic, Inc.
Law Watford – Shadow Acting Poster