“[Institutions are] already educating us to be complacent actors who will do any job they are ‘lucky’ enough to get. It’s the moment that made it all click and made me feel like I was the problem: that I was ugly, unworthy. I realised everything would be for nothing if I entered the industry and became a part of that cycle. Every room I step into now, I make sure that I’m loud. There’s this narrative of, ‘When you get bigger or into a space of power, then you can create change.’ But if that were true, it would have happened already…there are already many Black people in power. However long or short my career is, I will be true to myself every step of the way—and the people that believe in that will find me. That is the place I will be happiest in.”
Breaking onto our screens as Lady Agatha Danbury of Queen Charlotte, our cover star @arsemathomas now has the world at her feet—and for the 30-year-old actor, she’s set on blazing a new trail. As her latest project, She Taught Love, releases on Hulu, she chats with @franarivers on inciting change within the acting industry, discovering her voice and what her future will hold 🖤
Pre-order the issue now at our #linkinbio!
Photography by @duggangram
Styling by @karolinafre
Interview by @franarivers
Words by @ellaxwest
Editorial Director @charlottejmorton
Editor-in-Chief @ellaxwest
Art Director @beth1owri
Production Director Lola Randall
Hair by @chadandrehair
Make-up by @kymberberry
Special thanks to @visionstudiola
4 days away from the world wide release of @shetaughtlovemovie … please enjoy this director’s trailer cut. September 27th we give to the world what we would like to see from it, love.
Welcoming Arsema Thomas to the stage at the 28th Annual Africa Business Conference.
A global actor and cultural storyteller, Arsema brings a powerful perspective on storytelling, identity, and Africa’s role in shaping narratives worldwide.
Join us for Owning Tomorrow: Africa’s Agency in a Shifting World. 🌍 🎟️Link in bio
She Taught Love was released on this day last year. And everyday since has been a blessing. Always thankful to @chipsheridan and @natethedirector for this journey.
Love has a new day