Amirah Vann: Embracing Afro-Latinidad, La Familia & My Role To Rep On Screen

Award-winning actress Amirah Vann joins Gracias, Come Again for a heartfelt, funny, and deeply personal conversation rooted in culture, family, faith, and purpose. Born and raised in Queens, New York, Amirah opens up about growing up Afro-Latina, being raised by her Puerto Rican mother after losing her African-American military father at just nine years old, and the powerful village of tias and tios who surrounded her in Far Rockaway, Queens.  Amirah shares the sacrifices her immigrant mother made to give her a full, creative life, from finding ways to afford arts classes and strong schools to believing in her dreams long before the world caught on. We talk about how theater in New York City became her foundation, shaping her voice as both an actress and a singer. She is currently starring as Dr. Gina Walker on FOX’s hit medical drama Doc, and breaks down what it’s like stepping into a leading role on network television. Amirah also reflects on her role in Netflix’s A Jazzman’s Blues, sharing the surreal moment Tyler Perry personally called her to join the film. The conversation dives into her iconic role as Tegan Price on How to Get Away with Murder, and what it meant to work alongside the legendary Viola Davis. Amirah opens up about raising her two daughters, who are part Black and part Latina, and how intentional she is about teaching them Spanish, keeping them connected to their Puerto Rican culture, and making sure they grow up proud of every part of who they are. She talks about passing down culture at home, from language to music to family traditions and one of the most meaningful parts of the conversation is Amirah opening up about how it feels to now be seen and embraced by the Latino community, and the pride she feels in owning every part of who she is. The episode is lighthearted, emotional, and full of laughs, and by the end, we realized we’d become real-life friends, bonded by growing up in New York, being raised by strong Latina mothers, and surviving the hood with love and humor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.