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Raffeal A. Sears

@raffealsears

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Professional Storyteller, INFJ, Educator, Jazz Enthusiast, historian, lover of all things classic, Nerd, and KCMO Boy!

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I guess this is worth popping my head back in.

Last weekend, I stood on land that once knew my blood before it knew my name.

I had the sacred honor of witnessing the unveiling of a monument in Franklin County, Virginia honoring 70 United States Colored Troops soldiers born there. One of them was my 3rd great-grandfather, Private Peter Hooks. Of the 70 names carved into stone, I was the only descendant found and present.

I didn’t arrive alone.
I came carrying generations.

I don’t believe in coincidences. What unfolded that weekend felt orchestrated by God, with the assistance of my ancestors.

After months of unemployment, self-doubt, panic, and wrestling with a giant named Depression, this moment met me exactly where I was.

Seeing my ancestor’s name etched into stone on the very ground where he was once enslaved and sold broke something open in me. Grief, yes. But also recognition.

The courage that pushed him to fight for his freedom runs in my blood.
The same blood.
The same insistence on dignity.

In reclaiming his name, I am reclaiming myself.

Deep gratitude to the wonderful Glenna Moore, Cathie Cummins, and Dr. Sarah Plummer, and to everyone whose research and resistance gave back the lives of these 70 USCT soldiers and made the @raisingtheshade monument a reality.

Because you spoke their names, they live again.
And because of that, so do I.

***So good to see @dorenawilliamson and @pastorchriswilliamson . How God arranged that reunion!!!!

#Searsly #PeterHooks #ReclaimingTheBloodline #UnitedStatesColoredTroops #RaisingTheShade taken in Rocky Mount, Virginia by @raffealsears

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9 months ago

Allow me to re-introduce (introduce) myself.
Enjoy!

-Ra

Allow me to reintroduce (introduce) myself.

www.RaffealSears.com

I'm Here For It written by Raffeal Sears and Tim Kail @kailstyle

Art Direction, Cinematography, and Visuals by Tim Kail

#RaIsHereForIt
#HereForIt2024
#Searsly
#RaffealSears taken in London, Unιted Kingdom by @raffealsears

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3 years ago

#throwbackthursday : Audition for @yalerep ‘s production of Twelfth Night.
Act 1, Scene 3
Raffeal as Sir Toby Belch

#yalerep #tbt #SirTobyBelch #anactorprepares #LearningToBeAFanOfMyselfFirst #BrothasDoShakespeareToo #myhairwashigh #Chicago #Searsly #IHateSlating by @raffealsears

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6 years ago

45!

I’ve earned this age.

I’m grateful to God for the blessing of aging. I’m even more grateful that I don’t look like what I’ve been through. 😮‍💨

This year, I vow not to just get older, but to keep growing

Thank you to everyone who showered me with love through calls, texts, messages, posts, and gifts. A Brotha truly felt loved.

📸 @portraitschristopher

#Searsly #RaffealSears #RaffealAt45 #Birthday by @raffealsears

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5 months ago

Jazz architect, the epitome of cool without ever having to announce it, and the “Saxophone Colossus,” Sonny Rollins has been promoted to ancestor at 95.

One of the last giants from a generation that changed us all.

Thank you, Sir.
Rest in Power. 🎷🖤

*Confirmed by Reuters

#sonnyrollins #jazz #searsly #saxophone #restinpower by @raffealsears

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5 months ago

Yo, I had a lot of fun getting the opportunity to tell a story again. Recording this audition reminded me where my instrument is alive.
That’s useful whether they call or not.

One thing I know about Raffeal: yo’ boy’s going to keep building.

#searsly #anactorprepares #selftapelife #raffealsears #BookaBrotha by @raffealsears

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5 months ago

Y’all already know how much this woman means to me.

I was 9 years old when I saw her live on stage during the Rhythm Nation tour, and that moment changed my life. Watching her perform is when I knew I wanted to be onstage too. I also knew she was my girlfriend, and I was fully prepared to bust anybody in the mouth who had something slick to say about my girl. 😂🥷

Happy 60th birthday to my girl, the Blueprint herself, @janetjackson! 🖤

No copyright infringement intended. I do not own the rights to the music used.

#searsly #janetjackson #queenifharmonies #theblueprint by @raffealsears

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5 months ago

Dedicating today’s closing performance of African Company Presents Richard III to this little Brotha.

No need to give a “perfect” performance.
I just need to be the version of myself Baby Ra already sees.

* AI concept image

#searsly #RaffealSears taken in Unicorn Theatre by @raffealsears

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6 months ago

Kansas City!! We’re heading into the final week of The African Company Presents Richard III.

Don’t be a joker and miss the beautiful work we’re doing up there on them boards.

Buy Tickets: www.brtkc.org
Thursday, April 23 - Sunday, April 26
@unicorntheatrekc

📸: Dean Davison

#Searsly taken in Unicorn Theatre by @raffealsears

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6 months ago

Y’all already know where I’m headed.

@michaelmovie @michaeljackson

#michaeljackson #michaelmovie #searsly by @raffealsears

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6 months ago

Tonight is our opening night of The African Company Presents Richard III by Carlyle Brown, and for those who know, know how special this play is to me.

This play changed my life. It uncovered a calling I never noticed was there.

I’ve been living with these ancestors since 2022, when I was blessed to do African Company at Great River Shakespeare Festival, playing William Brown, proprietor of the African Theatre and the first Black playwright. I went through my whole acting education not knowing that these Black folk, in 1821, were pioneers of not just Black Theatre, but American Theatre. That discovery led me to create Reclamation: Restoring the Black Legacy in American Theatre course.

Now, for my 2nd trip to 1821 New York, I get to play my theatre hero, James Hewlett of the African Theatre, a man deemed the father of one-man shows in America, and still so many don’t know his name. I’m honored to tell his story.

I moved to KC in August and went into a deep depression. I hadn’t booked work for 8 months. My last audition was in October. Then the panic attacks… sheesh. I started to feel like I failed. But I learned that feelings are not always facts.

When The Black Repertory Theatre of Kansas City / Heart of America Shakespeare Festival approached me about African Company, it came at the right time. I hadn’t worked in months, and yo’ boy was really considering letting this acting thing go. But this opportunity met me exactly when I needed it most. God’s timing is always perfect.

I’m not sharing this for sympathy or likes. I’m sharing it because I know I’m not alone. I’m not interested in curating a perfect life, just the truth of what it means to dream.

When I first did this play, I healed a lot. Now, playing James Hewlett, that healing has accelerated. I’m reclaiming a version of myself I forgot was buried underneath.

I praise God to be able to speak the names of these “marvelous, struggling spirits,” our ancestors, with such beautifully amazing griots. What a blessing it is to tell this story together.

What a blessing it is to be on them boards again, “play-actin’”!😮‍💨

Unicorn Theatre | 4/17–4/26
BRTKC.org for tickets

#raffealasears #Searsly taken in Unicorn Theatre by @raffealsears

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6 months ago

On this day in 1915, my favorite girl was born.

The incomparable Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan, entered the world 111 years ago in Philadelphia.

She didn’t just sing, she took up residence.

Where does Billie Holiday’s voice live for you?#searsly #billieholiday #happybirthday #raffealsears #reclamation by @raffealsears

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6 months ago