Famous for her performances in 1960s, '70s, and '80s Broadway productions of Something More!, Paul Sills' Story Theatre, and Sophisticated Ladies, this dancer, singer, and actress also appeared in the movie musical Sweet Charity and in the films The Andromeda Strain and Top of the Heap.
After completing her dance training at the Juilliard School, she became a featured performer with the their Alvin Ailey and Martha Graham dance companies.
For her performance in the Los Angeles premiere of Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, she received an NAACP Image Award and a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award.
She was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and raised primarily in Harlem, New York.
She co-starred with Lonette McKee in the ABC miniseries The Women of Brewster Place, earning an Emmy nomination for her role as Theresa.