“Your life is your ship. You are the captain. You get to decide where it goes.”
Written by Dennis Harvell
Bronx Hero: Kerry Washington
The Origin Story
The Soundview Spirit
Kerry Washington was born on January 31, 1977, in the Bronx. She was raised in the Jamie Towers Cooperative apartments in the Soundview neighborhood. Her parents—a college professor and a real estate broker—instilled in her a strong sense of intellectual independence and social awareness from a young age.
A defining moment of her youth occurred at age 13, when she witnessed Nelson Mandela speak at Yankee Stadium following his release from prison. That experience at the “House that Ruth Built” helped shape her worldview, showing her the power of a single voice to impact global justice.
The Rise: From the Bronx to the Spence School
While growing up in a working-class Bronx neighborhood, Kerry attended the prestigious Spence School in Manhattan on a scholarship. This “dual world” experience allowed her to navigate different social landscapes, a skill that would later make her one of the most versatile actresses of her generation.
• Early Training: She honed her craft at the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club and the TADA! Youth Theater.
• The Breakout: After graduating from George Washington University, she made waves in films like Save the Last Dance (2001) and Ray (2004), where she played Della Bea Robinson.
The Career: Fixing the System
In 2012, Kerry stepped into the role of Olivia Pope on Scandal. In doing so, she broke a 38-year streak, becoming the first Black woman to headline a network TV drama since 1974.
• The “Fixer” Energy: Her portrayal of a high-powered crisis manager resonated with millions, embodying the “Sovereignty” of a woman in control of her own destiny.
• The Producer’s Lens: Through her production company, Simpson Street (named after the street where her mother grew up in the Bronx), she produces projects like Little Fires Everywhere and American Son that tackle complex themes of motherhood, race, and systemic friction.
The Mission: Justice for All
Kerry doesn’t just act; she advocates. She has served on the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and is a co-chair of “When We All Vote.” Her work focuses on ensuring that everyone—especially those from underserved communities like the one she grew up in—has a seat at the table.
Why He’s a Bronx Hero
Kerry Washington is a “Bronx Hero” because she never forgot where she came from. She took the grit and elegance of her borough and used it to redefine what a “leading lady” looks like. She is proof that you can be elegant, powerful, and a fierce warrior for justice all at once.
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