Ralph brings her positive message for UNCF ‘Masked Ball’

An emphasis on education is hereditary for Sheryl Lee Ralph.

The actress, singer and author will be the special guest for the 23rd annual “Mayor’s Masked Ball” (formerly “A Mind Is ... Gala”), a benefit for the Florence/Pee Dee Area United Negro College Foundation, with members from nine S.C. counties, including Horry, with scholarships for students to attend five S.C. UNCF-member colleges.

The celebration is at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Florence Civic Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, at Interstates 95 and 20. Tickets are $100.

Ralph, traveling this past week to spend time in her mother’s homeland of Jamaica, fielded a few questions by email. The married mom of two covered topics including the play “Dreamgirls,” for which she established the character Deena Jones; acting on stage, television, and film; and making a difference through such channels as creating the DIVA (Divine Inspired Victoriously Anointed) Foundation, and writing a book, “Redefining Diva: Life Lessons from the Original Dreamgirl,” published in 2012 by Simon & Schuster.

Question | With being part of “Dreamgirls” in the play’s infancy on Broadway in the early 1980s, did you ever cross paths in other entertainment circles with Diana Ross; Jennifer Holliday, who recorded the hit “And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going”; or Mary Wilson, whose riveting autobiography “Dreamgirl: My Life As a Supreme” I could not put down after its publishing in 1986?

Answer | It’s the subject of urban myth – my meeting, all by chance, Miss Diana Ross in the Russian Tea Room and the frost came over the room that day, but I met her as a child before, and it was just amazing. She remains an iconic beauty and entertainer.

Of course, you know Jennifer Holliday and I worked together in the original company of “Dreamgirls” on Broadway. ...

Mary Wilson is a doll and always has been. I produce the longest consecutive running musical AIDS benefit in the country, “Divas Simply Singing,” and we just celebrated 25 years of that show, and Mary Wilson ... has been with us for quite a few years. She’s a warm wonderful giving spirit and bodacious bold sister, too.

Q. | Having worked on stage, TV shows and movies with an all-star array of performers in each realm, which setting has provided the biggest accomplishment and fulfillment in your heart for articulating your soul and helping share a message to the masses?

A. | In terms of the specificity, I have to say it’s stage. Stage really got me connected to the work that I do around HIV and AIDS, as an original company member of “Dreamgirls” on Broadway, and then also, when I wrote my award-winning, one-woman show, “Sometimes I Cry,” which deals with real women’s real stories around HIV and AIDS. There’s something amazing about standing on stage in your element, center stage, and then performing it is the most incredible feeling ever. I love theater.

I’m also producing a wonderful, Off-Broadway musical called “Mighty Real.” It’s all about the first disco queen, and he was the amazing, fabulous Sylvester. With that, a kickstarter is going on that we’d love people to support by going to www.fabuloussylvester.com.

Q. | Since graduating from Rutgers University and turning your tassel at age 19, how important is helping extend UNCF’s longtime track record of success in stressing the importance and lifelong value of the privilege of going to college, with scholarships that might provide the best chance for a ticket for many youth to pursue a degree?

A. | The greatest gift that was ever given was that of an incredible education. My parents really took the time to make sure that all of their children went to college and that all of the children experienced the best of the world. Through that education, it’s part of our legacy that my grandmother, who barely graduated from high school, was working to make sure that all four of her children graduated from college, and education has made all the difference in the world from family, and now I’m very happy that both of my children have recently graduated from college.

The truth is, education is the great equalizer. They can take a lot of things from you, but they cannot take what’s in your head: education, education, education. “A mind is a terrible thing to waste” – God, there’s such truth in that statement.

Q. | What is the most special part of Jamaica, that tourists ought to make sure they catch for a taste of extra culture from a Caribbean cruise?

A. | Make sure you visit Rose Hall; there’s an old ancient legend about the “White Witch of Rose Hall,” Annie Palmer, and the way she lived and the way she died. There's also a perfume that's kind of nice and fresh if you pick it up.

Jamaica such a beautiful spiritual country. There is the food – delicious; the people – wonderful and warm, ... a little bit aggressive at times but it’s that fight for life; and the weather – perfect each and every day.

This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Ralph brings her positive message for UNCF ‘Masked Ball’."