She’s getting the flowers she deserves!
Erika Alexander is a beloved actress best known for her role as Maxine Shaw on the hit ‘90s sitcom Living Single. Originally born in Arizona, Alexander moved to Philadelphia when she was young, and the city raised her as one of its own. A consistent staple in households for over three decades, the city of brotherly love honored Alexander last weekend with a street renaming at Broad and Master in North Philadelphia, The Philadelphia Tribune reports.
“Praise is often hard to take, and I don’t know why, but I accept it. I have a big imagination, but I could not dream of a day like this. The dear friends, family, mentors, and loving people who taught and inspired me, traveling from all over to see my name fixed to a steel pole, Alexander said at the renaming.
Family and friends joined outside Freedom Theatre in Philly, the same place Alexander was discovered when she was only 14 years old. Her nieces gave a stirring performance of Lift Every Voice and Sing alongside multiple speeches and a spoken word performance. Councilmember Jeffrey Young Jr., who spearheaded the honor, was also in attendance, speaking to Alexander’s legacy and what she means to the city.
“As the council member who had the privilege of representing and sponsoring the legislation to rename the street, it brings me immense joy to stand before you amid this unveiling. This is a way to pay tribute to the legacy of a woman whose journey started here in Philadelphia and who continues to inspire generation after generation,” said Councilmember Young.
In addition to her work on screen, Alexander owns a nonprofit, Color Farm, that focuses on amplifying underrepresented people in the entertainment industry. Fellow actor and Alexander’s former teacher at Freedom Theatre spoke about the actress’s early years and how joyous it is to see how far she’s come.
“She presented a radiant curiosity and a stillness that was participatory and engaging. It was easy to see that something was there and if she worked and engaged herself. The possibilities were endless.”
Cover photo: Beloved Actress Erika Alexander Honored With Street Renaming in Hometown of Philly/Photo credit: Kayla Brown/The Philadelphia Tribune