In celebration of Black History Month, LaDuca is honored to spotlight eight inspiring performers who not only exude Black Excellence on Broadway, but who are also an integral part of modern Black History themselves.
“Being a Black performer on Broadway means recognizing the rich history and legacy left for you by our greatest champions. The countless talented men and women, with their beautiful glowing skin, soul-filled voices, impeccable style, and class live inside my mind as I give every note and step value. This month, and every month I work in this industry, I’m reminded that I’m not alone in my joy, love, struggle, and passion. I am one of many. When I take the stage, we all take the stage. I’m enormously proud to stand on their shoulders and pledge to continue to pass it on.”
~ Ahmad Simmons
Ahmad Simmons was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas. He has been previously seen in the Broadway companies of Hadestown, Carousel and Cats, and in A Chorus Line at New York City Center. Simmons made his latest television network appearance co-starring as Ben Vereen in the FX miniseries Fosse/Verdon. A graduate of Point Park University with a BFA in Dance, he has toured Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Russia and all across the United States as a dancer with Parsons Dance Company, River North Dance Chicago, and Eisenhower Dance Detroit. Simmons is also a choreographer, director, writer, and creative producer.
In August 2020, Ahmad became a Founding Member of Black Broadway Men where he currently sits on the Founding Advisory Committee. Black Broadway men is a Non-Profit brotherhood service organization that utilizes social and educational opportunities to strengthen the bond of healing and unity for ALL Black men in both the Broadway and theatre community. Black Broadway Men is an exclusive safe space for Black men in theatre to find the common thread of multi-generational education and brotherhood. The organization is a platform that facilitates connecting educational conversations on mental health and wellness, discussions on financial literacy toward smart investing ventures, and many more topics while exposing the honest truth on how to become a true trailblazer for those coming along the same road after.
You can follow Ahmad at @ahmadsimmons, and can support Black Broadway Men at @BlackBroadwayMen on Instagram, Facebook, and @BlackBwayMen Twitter, and blackbroadwaymen.org.
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