Ngozi Paul facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ngozi Paul
Paul at a Canadian Filmmakers' Party in September 2012
Born	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Alma mater	National Screen Institute Stratford Birmingham Conservatory Canadian Film Centre Film Lab
Occupation	Actress writer director producer
Relatives	Annamie Paul (sister)

Ngozi Paul is a Canadian actress, writer, director, and producer who works in theater, movies, and television. She is most famous for creating and starring in the popular TV show Da Kink in My Hair.

Early Life and Education

Ngozi Paul was born and grew up in Toronto, Ontario. Her father came from the island of Dominica, and her mother came from St. Kitts and Nevis. Her older sister is Annamie Paul, a well-known Canadian politician who once led the Green Party of Canada.

Paul studied classical acting at the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre. She began her acting career on stage at the famous Stratford Festival of Canada, a major theater festival.

Career Highlights

Ngozi Paul is a multi-talented artist who has received many awards for her work. In 2003, Now Magazine named her one of the top ten actors in Toronto.

Acting and Early Success

Paul won the Tyrone Guthrie Award for her acting at the Stratford Festival. She was also nominated for Best Actress at the International Black Film Festival for her role in the movie Banyan.

One of her important early roles was in the film Short Hymn, Silent War. This film was nominated for a Genie Award (a major Canadian film award) and was shown at the famous Sundance Film Festival in 2004.

Creating and Producing

Paul started her own company called Ngozika Productions. The company focuses on creating movies and TV shows that share stories from an Afro-Canadian point of view.

She was also a writer and producer for the TV series Lord Have Mercy!. Later, she co-created, produced, and starred in the TV version of Da Kink in My Hair from 2007 to 2009. The show was based on a successful play and became very popular.

Award-Winning Theater

In 2015, Paul wrote and starred in a play called The Emancipation of Ms. Lovely. The play was a huge success and was nominated for six Dora awards, which are like the Tony Awards for Toronto theater. It won the award for Outstanding New Play.

The play tells a powerful story about the identity of Black women by connecting Paul's own experiences with the historical story of Sarah Baartman. A critic from Now Magazine praised Paul's "fierce, funny and moving performance."

Helping Others

Ngozi Paul uses her fame to bring attention to important social issues. She has worked to help women facing difficult situations and to support fairness and acceptance in communities.

In 2005, she performed in a special charity play in Toronto to raise money for organizations that help women. She has also been a global ambassador for the charity Because I'm A Girl and for the Stephen Lewis Foundation.

Selected Works

Here are some of Ngozi Paul's most notable projects in theater, television, and film.

Stage

Television

Film