Two time Tony Award winning actress, born to Belizean Parents, Kara Young is in Belize visiting and we met her today at the unveiling of a portrait of her.
The artist, Alex Sanker describes it as a landmark piece that will remain in Young's family for generations, as a record of her historic achievements - namely that she's the 1st Black Actor to Win Back-to-Back Tony Awards.
Jomarie Lanza was at the unveiling and got to meet Young. Here's that story.
They chose Bird Isle as the setting today to unveil an original painting inspired by Tony Award Winning Belizean Actress Kara Young. According to her mother this is where former Queens of the Bay in her family were crowned, and where boxing matches organized by her grandfather were held.
And so it only felt right to keep on with that tradition in making history. Kara was present today at the event and spoke with us a bit about what being back in Belize meant to her especially on this special occasion.
Kara Young, Tony Award Winning Belizean Actress
"It always feels like I am, every time I come here I feel like I am just a little bit more rooted, I have been coming here for my whole life and when you are a child or a kid you don't understand the importance of the foundation that has been laid but both of my parents have been born and raised here and every time I come here as an adult I feel like I am more rooted in my ancestry."
"I am always honored when people think of me that is number one and I can't even believe that I am thought of in this light and when I heard that Alex had interest in painting me I was incredibly honored but also incredibly honored because he is a Belizean artist and for him to immortalized a moment that happens to be very historical in our family which is weird for me to even say that because I am always like wow I can't believe, I am just in it, I am so in it that I don't realize that I am in it but it happens to be a very historical moment for the family and also for Belize what has been really beautiful has been the impact it has made for Belizeans in the diaspora and Belizeans here in Belize I feel so honored to immortalize the moment and to be painted by a Belizean artist."
And the creative artist himself, Alex Sanker told us why he decided to Paint Kara, inspired by her recent achievements and awards in her acting career
Alex Sanker, Belizean Artist
"This painting that she will get today due to the fact that the statement behind it, this is going to be in her family for generations. I go to Europe and I see paintings for 400 years on walls in museums so the painting itself is historical yet it is something that she could treasure and I think with this type of painting it is not commercial art she is going to have this where I don't think the Lamborghini, the house the nothing whatever you own in life it is not going to be...this is priceless because it is one of a kind. Everything else there is a copy but this is one of a kind so I think personally it is huge for me to actually meet her and know she has Belizean roots she is Belizean as I am concerned and I like to big up people like that because you have to give people their flowers right and that is what I am doing basically."
The painting features both an American and Belize flag connecting Kara to her roots. He also painted her wearing her iconic green dress, when she accepted her Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play for her role in "Purlie Victorious." She is the first Black actress to be Tony-nominated in four consecutive years. We asked Young what advice she would give to young persons who hope to follow in her footsteps.
Kara Young, Tony Award Winning Belizean Actress
"I think that we have to follow our dreams and we have to be supported by people so like when we talk about the youth we have to support the youths dreams. We have to pour into the youth and our elders. I always feel that way. The importance of your dream is honoring yourself and if you have dreams and they are big and bold and colorful and you can see the thing then it is absolutely possible. There is always someone to help and there is always someone to reach out to, sometimes you have to do the research to find the people who can actually help you succeed, but I believe that everyone can fulfill their dreams."
Young was most recently featured in a play called "Gruesome Playground Injuries."
