Keena Ferguson is a multi-artist, known for her bright warm smile, strong presence, and agility as an actress. She hails from Jefferson City, MO the “Show Me State†and she was most definitely born to be in “Show Biz.†A graduate of The Ohio State University where she received her B.F.A in dance, she moved to Los Angeles less than a week after graduation to begin her career. Her love of all things creative (dancer/choreographer, actress, VO artist, writer, producer, director) has led her to fully accept all of her many talents and Keena now calls herself a multi artist. Keena is currently starring in Tyler Perry’s new TV show Sistas on BET. You can catch her on Wednesday nights playing Leslie Davenport.
Patrice: What is your Swagher? What makes Keena, Keena?
Keena: My Swagher comes from my smile, my love and curiosity of life and people, my outgoing personality and love of new adventures and experiences, my artistic and creative side, and my versatility. My Swagher is that I am many things, and you can’t name just one. 😉
Patrice: I can see that you have a real love of what you do as an actress, writer, and director. What inspired you to get into the film industry?
Keena: Well, to begin, my mom is a professional dancer, so she danced with me in her belly until I was born. Once I was born, I was always in the dance studio, and I started taking dance classes at two. I immediately loved to perform and began doing musical theatre very early on. I always knew I would be a performer; it is indeed just in my soul. I also love being a storyteller and reaching out to so many different people in the world through a story to show how we are all connected and how our differences can also connect us.Â
Patrice: How does it feel to be a multi-talented artist?
Keena: I love being a multi-artist. I love to explore all of my creativity in its fullness, and why to pick just one when God has given me so many talents to explore. It also gives me many avenues in which to tell a story and reach a wider audience.Â
Patrice: You have been on several projects, including S.W.A.T. on CBS with Shemar Moore. Now let’s get into your recent recurring role on BET hit series “Sistas,†which is one of the most-watched scripted shows right now. How did you land the role of Leslie Davenport?
Keena: Yes, I have been very fortunate to be a part of some fascinating TV shows, and being on Sistas has been so wonderful. I landed that role by a single audition. I auditioned on tape, and about a week or two later, I received a call that they wanted to offer me the role and that I would be leaving for ATL in a few days. It was fascinating, and I had so much fun. It was my first job after having my baby boy, so I was a new mom and still breastfeeding, so lots were going on. Lol
Patrice: What can the viewers expect from Leslie in the new season?
Keena: Well, Leslie had some more action for the audience this season, but Covid altered those plans so that I won’t be in this next season, but I will say stay tuned because you never know where and when Leslie is showing up next. I’ll leave it there.Â
Patrice: How was it working with the other castmates on the show?
Keena: Oh, the entire cast was just lovely and tons of fun. K.J. Smith and I already knew each other, so it was great to show up to set already learning someone. The rest of the cast welcomed me with open arms, and we just had a good time.Â
Patrice: Throughout your acting and dancing career, what challenges have you faced along the way, and how did you come to a solution for them?
Keena: This business is full of ups and downs and will challenge you in so many ways. I have doubted myself many times and questioned why I didn’t book specific jobs or even tried to figure out how I could give them what I “thought†they wanted. I have learned and try to remember that there are parts of this career that you have no control over, and worrying over that won’t serve you. Instead, I want to focus on what I can control and make sure that I am always doing my part. It’s also about continually keeping the faith, not doubting, and having a support system, a tribe that will remind you of your greatness when you need a little encouragement. I also pray, meditate, journal, and read to make sure I keep my mind right and stay focused because worry and doubt are simple distractions that have no place in my greatness. Lastly, I remember that I get to wake up and do something I love every day, so I remind myself to have fun. The journey is part of the process, and you can either enjoy the journey along the way or go begrudgingly, and I would instead enjoy it.Â
Patrice: You also created a one-woman show called “Keena Unbranded†Can you tell the readers a little bit about that creation?
Keena: Keena Unbranded are various stories of my life told by many characters. It is about the complexities of life and the many facets of who I am. It’s about good things, things that changed me, funny experiences, the world that shaped me, and everything in between. It is raw and “unbranded.†I also incorporated live music and dance, and even some of my poetry that has never been shared. Doing that show is one of my most remarkable pieces of work, and I’m very proud of it. I’m even more proud of how many people my show touched and the conversations it started. Winning an NAACP award for it was unexpected and the icing on the cake.Â
Patrice: Has the pandemic affected you from any roles or other projects you had planned this year?
Keena: Oh yes, Covid has ruined a few things. I was scheduled to leave for NY to do a pretty big show with a fantastic cast the day that everything locked down, so that was heartbreaking, and obviously, not returning to Sistas this season was hard.Â
Patrice: What does a Black woman in film mean to you?
Keena: A black woman in film means strength, power, vulnerability, complexity, beauty, nuance, and not monolithic.Â
Patrice: What was the process like writing, producing, and directing the short film “Kai�
Keena: Oh, Kai was the first film I ever wrote, and it was such a good time. I wrote, produced, and starred in it, but my good friend Fred Thomas JR directed it. I hired many of my friends and had a dope crew, and I had no idea it would be as big as it was. It was a satirical piece, and it came from an idea I had when I was on tour with a show, and I just got home and wrote it and started putting things in place. It showed me that I don’t have to wait for the phone to ring but create my opportunities and give other people options. That started me creating my content, and I’m a firm believer in designing your way. We call “Kai†the film that keeps on going because even more than ten years later, people still ask about that film, and people will always ask me to screen it at a film festival or event. I love how that film lives on.Â
Patrice: Are there any current film projects you are working on now that you can speak on?
Keena: Yes, right now, I am currently playing a role on the show All American. I just directed and wrote a film that will premiere next month through a grant I won. I’m also a voice-over artist, so I voice characters in World War Z, Star Wars, and Red Dead Redemption, to name a few, that are already out for any video game players out there. And as always, I’m creating and writing other projects.Â
Patrice: Who are some of your favorite actors/actresses?
Keena: Oh, I have a lot of actors that I adore their work, but some actors I would love to work with are Jeffrey Wright, Mahershala Ali, Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad, Regina King, Rachel McAdams, Jason Bateman; there are just too many to name.
Connect with Keena:Â
Instagram @keenastar
Website www.keenaferguson.com, Â anyone is interested in creating their content, I coach/consult creatives, and you can contact me via www.nowgogetitdone.com
Twitter: @keenastar
Facebook: Keena Ferguson star page
Patrice Rivers is a 9x published author, freelance writer, certified journalist and Owner of That Riverz Gurl Brand LLC. Visit her website at www.thatriverzgurlbrandllc.comÂ
