Kellee Stewart – The Actress & Advocate

Kellee Stewart is an actress and advocate who isn’t waiting for anyone to give her a role or open a door. Her story and journey are about making her own way bringing awareness to a most often forgotten community. 

From actress to advocate, Ms. Stewart is a phenomenal woman. She is setting her own rules because, at this stage in her life, only God will direct her steps indefinitely.

The Actress – Changing Her Narrative

Cox: Kellee Stewart, you have been in some of my favorite shows, especially supernatural ones. When I look at your credits, you’ve been able to diversify the roles you play. How have you been able to achieve that?

Stewart: I was actually typecast earlier on when I moved to Los Angeles. I had an amazing opportunity to play in my first series, My Boys, as Stephanie, the best friend to P.J played by Jordana Spiro. The only problem was every show after that I was only cast as the Black best friend to a White female lead. 

Stewart(cont): to answer your question, I changed it by writing my own pilot script BBF (Black Best Friend). Cedric The Entertainer produced that script with me, and we sold it to 20th Century Fox and Fox Network. Suddenly I was getting paid to write scripts where I’m able to change the narrative and flip it on its side.

Although Stewart’s pilot didn’t get picked up, it empowered her in a way she never thought. She learned the power of NO. She discovered that she could create and sell content from her perspective. As an actor you’re constantly waiting for someone to say yes. Kellee understands that the only Yes she needs is the one she creates from her Mind, Body, and Spirit. 

Cox: Tell me about a time you used that No to empower yourself on set. 

Stewart: I was filming a project and my character had a line that I felt unfairly described Black men.  I went straight to the producer and told them , “ I’m not saying this. I’m not saying this because my character will not perpetuate the negative that it’s hard for a Black woman to find a good Black man.” They ended up taking that part out of the script and revamped it. I suggested these characters have an actual conversation with proper questions instead of reinforcing a stereotype.

Stewart(cont): An actor’s perspective is always needed. We have to be responsible for the younger generation coming up behind us. The projects need to be accurate and tell the wide range of stories that come with being black. 

Stewart(cont): I understand some people need a paycheck, and I don’t judge. But for me, there is no paycheck that will make me compromise my character. I’m here to fully represent Black women with the stories I have to tell to the best of my ability. 

Kellee is living in her truth and fullest self as an actress and creator. She is saying no to the things she doesn’t want to do, yes to the things she does, and creating the things she wants to see come to life. 

The Advocate – Giving Voice To A Cause

Cox: Now, switching gears, I would love to learn more about your why for bringing awareness to black fertility for men and women. 

Stewart: It was from my own personal story and journey. I ended a seven year relationship. I was single, Black, thirty-seven years old living in LA. I tried dating here and there, but the streets are trash (laughs jokingly). Knowing that the streets are trash (laughs jokingly), I froze my eggs. God was so kind because he was the one who led me down this path to preserve my potential fertility.

Stewart (cont): I realized there wasn’t a lot of Black representation on the national level in fertility. I wrote a movie called 29 Eggs (because I had 29 eggs I found from my fertility visit), and I sold it to A&E and Lifetime Network. Everything was getting lined up for its production then COVID hit. So that was put on the back burner indefinitely.  

Stewart(cont): I wanted to stay connected with my art during the pandemic, so I did like everyone and just went live on IG. I said I’m going to do Warrior Wednesdays. The title just popped into my head, and next thing you know, I’m learning how Black women suffer 3x more than their white counterparts from things such as fibroids, endometriosis, adenomyosis, and PCOS. 

Stewart (cont): Every other week, I would have a Black doctor talking to real people. Now that we are talking about art too! This was my way of staying connected to the movie I’m waiting to shoot. I want to talk to this audience even more. The more I talk with them, the more I’m crying with them, grieving miscarriages, and hearing the suffering.

Cox: I love that you also bring awareness to the negative effects of infertility and Black men. What’s something you found during your talks?

Stewart: Black men, y’all need each other. I always do a pre-interview on whom I will have on Warrior Wednesdays. This one time, I brought on three Black men, which I rarely do. But when I spoke with them individually in the pre-interview, I found all three were so broken, still healing, and trepidation through their journey. I knew I needed to bring them together. As a Black woman I can’t speak to their pain, but I knew they could open up with each other.