2021 HONORARY MEMBERS
Cynthia Erivo is an Emmy and Tony Award winning actress , a Grammy Award winning singer and an Academy Award , Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee . She burst onto the West End and Broadway stages in the critically acclaimed revival of “ The Color Purple ” in the role of Celie . She was also heralded for her execution of the title role of Harriet Tubman in the AKA member Debra Martin Chaseproduced feature film , “ Harriet .” On the television side , Erivo starred in HBO ’ s “ The Outsider ” as well as in the lead role of Aretha Franklin in the National Geographic Channel ' s eight-episode mini-series , “ Genius : Aretha .” She recently
completed filming Disney ’ s “ Pinocchio ” remake . Also a producer , Erivo has a first-look deal with MRC Television and Civic Center Media via her production company , Edith ’ s Daughter , which focuses on projects that express the beauty in the stories and people who are often overlooked and underrepresented . In addition to her acting career , Erivo is an accomplished singer / songwriter . Her debut album , “ Ch 1 . Vs . 1 ” will be released in September 2021 . Her first children ’ s book , “ Remember to Dream , Ebere ,” will debut that same month as well . The United Kingdom native graduated from The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art ( RADA ).
Lisa Leslie is the first Women ' s National Basketball Association ( WNBA ) player to win Most Valuable Player for the regular season , the All-Star game and the finals all in the same season . She was also named Most Valuable Player of the entire league three times and is a two-time WNBA World Champion . Leslie is also a four-time Olympic Gold Medalist . The eight-time WNBA All-Star Team player joined the WNBA when it was founded in 1997 and played for the Los Angeles Sparks her entire career . Leslie was also the first player to dunk in a WNBA game . Always blending beauty , grace , strength and athleticism , she was regarded throughout her career as the face of the WNBA and the most dominant player in women ' s basketball . She retired as the all-time leading rebounder in WNBA history . Additionally , her jersey number nine was retired by the Sparks . She was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and is also an inductee in the Women ' s Basketball Hall of Fame . Leslie is currently a television sports commentator and one of the only female head coaches in the BIG3 professional basketball league . She was named Coach of the Year in 2019 . She graduated from the University of Southern California with a bachelor ' s degree in communications , where her jersey number 33 was retired . She also holds a master ' s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix .
Robin Roberts was the first Black anchorwoman on ESPN . Since 2005 , she has been the co-anchor of ABC ’ s Good Morning America . Under her leadership , the broadcast has won numerous Emmy Awards for Outstanding Morning Program and the 2017 People ’ s Choice Award for Favorite Daytime TV Hosting Team . Roberts has worked in broadcasting for more than 30 years . She has been honored with the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism and was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame and the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame . She was also voted The Most Trusted Person on Television by a Reader ’ s Digest poll in 2013 . During her time at ESPN , she co-anchored SportsCenter and contributed to NFL Primetime . Her battle with cancer and MDS has been recognized with awards and honors from organizations including The Susan G . Komen Foundation and The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program . Roberts has also been honored with a George Foster Peabody Award and Gracie Award . She received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2013 ESPYs . In college , she was a standout performer on the women ’ s basketball team , ending her career as one of her school ’ s all-time leading scorers and rebounder . In 2012 , Roberts was inducted into the Women ’ s Basketball Hall of Fame . She is also the founder of Rock ' n Robin Productions and author of “ From the Heart : 7 Rules to Live By ” and her memoir , “ Everybody ’ s Got Something .” The cum laude graduate holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from Southeastern Louisiana University .
Celebrating 100 Years of Ivy Leaf ® Magazine
Summer 2021 I vyL eaf ® 45