Photo Credit: Glen Wilson / Focus Features

Okay let me put this out there, because clearly I can not keep this to myself: We’re cousins. Cynthia and I— we are cousins. Yes we are! And, I don’t care what anyone says. For real!

Ok, not for real; but y’all know that folks always think Nigerians out their doing their thing, in whatever industry it may be, are somehow related to each other. You think I’m joking, but you know it’s true!

In all seriousness, Cynthia and I are not biologically related, at all. So don’t come after me, fact-checkers!

If you have not seen Harriet, please stop what you’re doing (after you read this of course), go buy a ticket on Fandango, the Regal app, or the AMC A-list app, or whatever mechanism you use to buy tickets to a movie and go see it!

I’ve been waiting to see this movie since I first saw the trailer earlier this year. When I saw Cynthia embodying the amazing Harriet Tubman in that trailer, my spirit leaped out of me and into the empty movie seat to my right. We both looked at each other like, “Girl, did you just see that?!” We had just witnessed greatness. From a movie trailer y’all! And, I don’t get excited off of movie trailers. Most movie trailers these days are all the good parts of a movie enticing you to come in and see the rest of the movie. But not this time. I immediately put a reminder in my phone to buy the tickets the week of November 2, so I could witness the rest of her storytelling.

Never mind that I hadn’t put two and two together that this woman on the big screen was also my Tony-award winning lead in The Color Purple. Don’t shame me, I was living overseas during her run! But I digress. My spirit leaped because I felt a connection to the strength of her being. You ever witnessed that in your own life? You meet someone and before you’ve even gotten past exchanging names you feel something powerful in your midst? Yeah, it was like that.

Her portrayal of Harriet was strong, elegant, and firm. And, let’s be real, we need more solid heroine journey movies to be written, acted and seen on the big and little screen. Movies with lead characters who are complex, multi-layered, four-dimensional, to use one of Ms. Erivo’s words, and women. But that’s not why my “play-cousin” is going to be the inaugural face on my wall of joy. It’s because of her conversation with another amazing woman, Oprah. Need I say more? I will.

I was headed to my morning workout and had Super Soul Conversations playing (which, if you are not listening to Super Soul Conversations, Imma need you to go get your life. Not, I will need you, but Imma need you, okay? You don’t even have to listen to all the episodes. Just listen to the ones with people or topics that matter to you. I guarantee you, Super Soul Conversations will change your perspective, if not your life.)

I keep digressing.

So I see that Cynthia is one of Oprah’s guests and I am stoked. And, at 26 minutes long it would last my entire workout.

Y’all, I died.

It was so motivating to listen to her conversation. My workout was the best ever; and, my ears and spirit got to leaping just listening to this woman talk about having a strong sense of self, about being specific about her dreams, and even going into detail about her process as an actor. It had me snapping fingers between chest presses and jumping jacks!

Joy-journeyers, like she said: Dream. Be specific. Pray (which for many of us may represent daily affirmations of faith or joy, meditation, or setting our intentions). Believe in yourself. Good god almighty, believe in yourself. And enjoy the process — no matter how crazy it may get. You are worthy of your dreams. Take them seriously. No matter what others tell you. We create joy when we invest in ourselves.

There was so much meat in her talk with Oprah that it would take me three podcast episodes and a lot of posts to get through it all. So I’m going to ask you to just listen to it. Enjoy it. Let it motivate you. And please go see Harriet!

Wow, okay. I need to go get a cup of tea and get back to work. And don’t forget: fill your well with joy!

Black Girl Joy: Cynthia Erivo is Joy