We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful N’Kenge. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with N’Kenge below.

Alright, N’Kenge thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

One of the most meaningful projects I took on was telling the story of Legendary Singer/Actress/Dancer Dorothy Dandridge. I have been in awe of her accomplishments since I saw her as a little girl in the movie Carmen Jones. I remember thinking who is this WOMAN and how can I be like her. Fast forward to 2013 when I was working with my mentor Berry Gordy Jr (Founder of Motown Records) as I was developing the role of Mary Wells for Broadway’s Motown: The Musical. I was so inspired by the whole process of Mr. Gordy telling his story and realizing that were not many black stories on Broadway and representation of woman of color and I wanted to change that.

Once I had the experience of working on Broadway in multiple productions, I began the process of bring Dorothy Dandridge’s story to life on stage. I produced a 2 night only concert at Carnegie Hall and then moved it to the New York Theatre Festival where the show garnered the most nominations and wins. Now I am so proud to say the musical will be making its world premier developmental regional production at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal, NJ from Fev 20, 2026 till March 8, 2026. The musical is led by a Tony, Emmy and Grammy winning creative team and a 15 cast of Broadway caliber singer and dancers. The journey to bring it to Broadway and beyond is ever so exciting and I am thrilled to share this journey with an awesome team of producers, investors and staff that share in the same vision and passion.

N’Kenge, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a Tony, Grammy and Emmy nominated Songstress born and raise in New York. I currently have a new Jazz Vocal Album out CENTERSTAGE: Live from the Ella Fitzgerald Festival. I had the honor to perform at the Ferguson Performing Arts Center in Newport News, VA and I really wanted to capture the live essence of my concert while honoring the great legacy of Ella.

I knew at an early age I wanted to be a singer and I never turned back. I also grew up working in my mom’s staffing business which serviced New York, Westchester County and Tampa Florida. She taught me everything she knew and I was the regional operations manager while simultaneously obtaining my music degrees at both Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School. Have both business and music as part of my fabric, I always led with both the creative and business side whenever I create projects and its led to me teaching, giving Masterclasses and consulting in so many areas of the business. I am also developing a new TV show as well as a Broadway bound musical celebrating Dorothy Dandridge’s Legacy. You can find out more about my projects, my concert tours and to stream my music and more, visit me at www.nkengemusic,com

I have a non profit foundation in which my mission is dedicated to educating, mentoring, inspiring, and uplifting through the arts and I have been so proud to have been able to give opportunities and a platform for voices to be heard. We have a number of initiatives that have been life changing and to find out more, visit nkengefoundation.org

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

One of the most rewarding aspects of being a creative is being able to change lives. Every time I step onto a stage, speak at an event or mentor an individual, I know I am being give the golden opportunity to share a little magical piece of me and my journey and my strength with someone that needs it. Giving someone a chance to be in a safe and bountiful space that teaches them to embrace the world with a different and exciting new lens.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

There are so many more resources available to creatives now than there was when I was coming into the industry. My experience was always just figuring it out and making adjustments along the way until you get it right. I had to create the blueprint myself and I started created those resources through my nonprofit foundation that I so desperately would have loved to have when I was just getting my feet wet. Thats ok though because every time I fell down, I got back up stronger and more determined. Don’t tell me I can’t do something because that will be the fuel of me absolutely doing it and doing it better that you could have ever imagined!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nkengemusic.com
• Instagram: @divankenge
• Facebook: N’Kenge’s Music
• Linkedin: Divaa N’Kenge
• Twitter: @divankenge
• Youtube: @divankenge
• Other: Nonprofit foundation
  www.nkengefoundation.com

  Dorothy Dandridge Musical
  www.dorothydandridgemusical.com

Image Credits

All single shot photos by Dror/Forshée Photography and dresses by Grace Chen
Band Shot by Virgil Odell and dress I and mt daughter Jahzara are wearing are by Diana Mahrach Couture
From left to right for the band shot

Winard Harper: Drums, James Gibbs III: Trumpet, Deah Love Harriott: Music Director/Piano, Jahzara Martina: Featured Soloist, N’Kenge, Aris Dolce Jr: Saxophone, Lonnie Plaxico: Bass