Bernadette Speakes

Bernadette Speakes

58 · Born: Feb 25, 1967

Personal Details

BornFeb 25, 1967 Mount Vernon, New York, USA
Spouse
  • Jamal Yusuf Speakes

    ( Feb 12, 2000 to May 11, 2025 )
  • Jamal Yusuf Speakes, Sr.

    ( Feb 2, 2000 to May 11, 2025 )

Biography

Born and raised in the vibrant city of New York, Bernadette's formative years were spent in the bustling metropolis before she made the move to Chicago, Illinois, where she would go on to spend the majority of her childhood and adolescence.

It was during her time in Chicago that Bernadette's passion for the performing arts began to take shape, leading her to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Theater at the esteemed University of Georgia.

Upon completing her academic studies, Bernadette returned to her hometown of Chicago, marking the beginning of her professional journey and setting the stage for an illustrious career that would span many years to come.

With her Bachelor's Degree in hand, Bernadette was poised to take the world by storm, and her return to Chicago marked the starting point of a journey that would see her make a name for herself in the world of theater and beyond.

Bernadette's illustrious career has been marked by the extraordinary opportunity to share the screen with a diverse array of talented actors, including the esteemed Lorenz Tate and the accomplished Nia Long, in the critically acclaimed film "Love Jones". Furthermore, she has had the remarkable distinction of being featured alongside the revered Sidney Poitier, a legendary actor who has been honored with the prestigious Academy Award, in the sequel to the iconic film "To Sir with Love".

Bernadette, as the Chief Operating Officer of Dreams Take a Minute Productions, has played a pivotal role in the conceptualization and implementation of a notable project, specifically 'PHI'LA The Musical', which she co-created with her husband. This collaborative endeavour has been a testament to her multifaceted skills and expertise.

As the director of this project, Bernadette's creative vision was brought to life on stage at the esteemed Club Nokia in October 2009, garnering widespread acclaim. Her outstanding directorial efforts continued to resonate with audiences when the production was subsequently showcased at the NAACP Theater Festival in August 2010, further solidifying her reputation as a talented and innovative creative force.

Bernadette's multifaceted talents extend far beyond her artistic pursuits, as she is currently devoting her impressive industry insights to the growth and development of PHI'LA's film project.

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Biography:

Bernadette

Career

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2024
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Secret Gospel
Secret Gospel as Sister Maria
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2022
Nobody's Angel
Nobody's Angel as Lieutenant Waters
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2009
The Soloist
The Soloist as Homeless Lady
{"id":6887,"title":"Love Jones","year":"1997","character":"Sheila Downes","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/love-jones","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6887.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6887.jpg"},"released":1}
1997
Love Jones
Love Jones as Sheila Downes
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1996
To Sir, with Love II
To Sir, with Love II as LaVerne Mariner