We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Toni Washington Simpson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Toni, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

Every project I engage in is value creating and purpose driven. My artistic endeavors have been both challenging and rewarding in ways that unimaginably exceeded my inspirational and cultural aspirations. My creative journey has evolved into something much deeper than just producing art for the sake of it.

I recognize that my ability to successfully connect audiences to transformative experiences that reshape perspectives is something that is profoundly personal to my philosophical belief and integral to who I am. My journey is a fulfilling artistic path, albeit intense.

That being said, I must admit my most recent project, was to bring Michael home, the Lionsgate biopic film, Michael. Securing the first screening domestically in Gary, IN before it was to be screened in theaters across the USA was an enriching and a rewarding accomplishment. You see, Gary, IN is where the Jacksons are from and there are no working cinemas in the city. The absence of working cinemas in Gary is not incidental — it is the direct result of decades of white flight and disinvestment. I expressed this painful sentiment during our ongoing discussions with the film studio and how important it is that residents of Gary should not have to go to surrounding communities to benefit from this migration of resources, tax base, and commerce. It was painfully apparent that for this reason that this screening of our world-renowned talented Jackson family, must take place in Gary. Knowing the magnitude of the ask for a film of this caliber and convincing the studio executives that we have everything we need logistically to screen this film, would be no easy feat, Nonetheless, the GIBFF was determined to do what needed to be done to make this a reality for our beloved city and its citizens.

As the Creative Consultant for the Gary International Black Film Festival (GIBFF) it was important for me to make this a meaningful moment for all parties involved including the studio, the Jackson family, and more importantly to do what I personally saw as a perfect opportunity to uplift and unite the hearts of many during these times of division, chaos, and uncertainty. Making the impossible possible and creating hope is what I live for. On April 13, 2026 we brought ‘Michael’ back home to Indiana. There were two thousand Gary residents in attendance, along with the Jackson brothers, Jackie, Marlon, and Jermaine, Michael’s son, Prince Jackson; the producer Graham King, along with Michael’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, who embodied the essence of the King of Pop exquisitely. This made for an unforgettable evening for everyone who attended.

The joy of being able to sit in our community, experiencing this memorable story collectively of a family that many of us knew as our contemporary, was more than just entertaining an audience or fans, it was about where the journey of this global iconic family started and giving our community a catalyst for personal and professional growth. We felt the weight of welcoming our family home. It set the stage for premiere screenings around the country.

My hope and vision to impact my community through this shared experience by reclaiming our story of how this steel city birthed the most talented acclaimed performer that the world has ever seen, created a groundswell of pride and joy that has reignited a shared sense of validity for who we are and what we are capable of doing as a community.

Toni, 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 have had the great fortune of creating my own path. I am a woman of unlimited self-esteem who appreciates and values my life. I believe strongly in my heart that one’s journey, one’s mission is unique to them. This is a philosophical belief that I live by. My talents, abilities and love for people is what has been the impetus for me to be a creative force for everything I’ve been doing.

I am recognized as a primal artistic force from Gary, IN whose celebrated for my work as a choreographer, performer, and educator. With over six decades in the arts, I have earned acclaim as one of the region’s top choreographers and entertainers. My early interest in dance and theater began at a young age, overcoming financial challenges to develop my talents, later studying at prestigious institutions and training with renowned instructors. Creative ingenuity is how I approached the artistic landscape for enlisting unsuspecting friends as muses for theatrical dance productions.

As a versatile artist, who conceived many projects, performed with notable groups and appeared on numerous platforms, I am most proud to use my artistic talents in marketing and film, promoting cultural and artistic initiatives. I find that what sets me apart from others is how I continue to use my artistic talents to create value by supporting worthy causes. I am a committed humanitarian, advocating for peace and cultural understanding.

Presently, I am the Creative Consultant for the Gary International Black Film Festival (GIBFF), and in this capacity, I am privileged to help create platforms where having the ability to preserve, tell, and share our stories in a safe space. where one feels seen and heard. Presenting independent black films from across the diaspora allows us to come together to connect, celebrate and dive deeper into our culture. The GIBFF also provides a sense of trust and understanding in a time where our stories are being culturally manipulated and erased.

I find it imperative to give voice to those who more often than not feel unheard. I continue to serve communities assiduously as an artist driven by a strong desire to cultivate and create a culture of peace through my artistic endeavors.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience is my entire life’s journey as an artist. What comes to mind is my ability to never give up even when it seem impossible! The things I have made it through has always been what other’s see as impossible, but it has not been what I see for me. From day one, performing as a young girl with my older sisters, I knew that this was what I wanted to do. Growing into the performing phase with natural talent, and being instinctively creative was how I began. I had the desire and ability to go for it. At the time not knowing that if I wanted to pursue this path there would be financial costs that my parents would have to make for this to be a real thing for me. My parents knew that nothing was going to keep me from performing even if it meant that I could not get the proper dance training, I was determined to learn how to dance.

I managed to dance my way into every audition, program, talent show, and extracurricular school programs. Throughout my secondary and post secondary academic years I became a force to reckon with. I read books on ballet, modern dance, jazz, and even tap. I would sing and take on acting roles. I watched television shows that were musicals and would show up at dance schools whenever possible to take lessons.

As a young adult, I started my own dance groups then my own dance company. Never giving up on my dream of performing. Eventually I traveled to New York while in college and from that moment on I never looked back, I became well-rounded in my artistic abilities and more confident as a performer while acquiring new skills along the way.

Auditioning for major roles in the musical theater arena, fashion industry, and stage productions became second nature. I met my husband during an audition for the Wiz, from this union my youngest daughter was born. Here I was, newly married and now the mother of three young children. There was no stopping me now. I was hired to choreograph productions for a major black hair manufacturer, Soft Sheen Hair Products. I began performing and traveling in new areas of the entertainment industry. At one point, my children were traveling and performing on the road with me.

I returned home and created theatrical productions for youth throughout our region. Unfortunately after being married over a decade, things did not work out. Once again, my creative ingenuity and resilience served me well, that muscle of resilience I developed through past experiences reminded me that I can get through this. There were times that financially none of this made sense. However, I knew that one day everything that I was doing would all pay off and that I had lives to care for that depended on me.

To this day, as I work bringing independent black film to my community, where there are no working cinemas; I am proud to say that my resilience isn’t about never breaking; or giving in, it has always been about finding the strength to endure and to start again. I have turned many challenges into opportunities for growth and this has allowed me to move forward as I am appreciative and deeply grateful of all that I have accomplished.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://garyblackfilmfest.org
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@garyblackfilmfest
• Other: unityofvision@gmail.com

Image Credits

Erica Calhoun, EC Marketing and Media