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topicnews · September 1, 2024

“The Forge” star and Memphis native Aspen Kennedy talks about his faith

“The Forge” star and Memphis native Aspen Kennedy talks about his faith

Aspen Kennedy remembers praying in his third year at Jackson State University, “Lord, if you want me to do this, [pursue acting]and confirm it.”

Lynn Norment
| Columnist

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Aspen Kennedy continues to make a name for himself with The Forge. The newly released film raises the profile of the young actor, who is already known for his passion for stories that go beyond entertainment and become vessels of understanding, healing and empathy.

The film also highlights his enormous faith in God, to whom he attributes his success.

“I’m grateful that God answered my prayers,” says Kennedy. “I wanted to succeed, and my faith and passion aligned because I wanted to do projects that would entertain but also have a positive impact on people.”

Kennedy’s acting roles embody triumphs and struggles

The Forge is a moving film that explores the power of faith, mentorship, and community in overcoming life’s challenges. It explores the transformative power of discipleship and its role in personal and spiritual growth.

While this film is Kennedy’s big-screen debut, the 29-year-old has also appeared in television movies, including Kirk Franklin’s “The Night Before Christmas,” and TV shows such as the BET musical drama series “Kingdom Business,” starring Yolanda Adams. He has also appeared in “Queen Sugar,” the popular OWN drama series created and produced by Ava DuVernay, with Oprah Winfrey serving as executive producer.

In speaking with Kennedy, it becomes clear that he has a deep passion for stories that illuminate the facets of human existence, choosing roles that embody triumphs, struggles and vulnerabilities.

“This work shares and bears fruit in the heart,” he says. “It’s a gift that I believe heals the storyteller and the audience alike and fosters the sense of connection we all crave.”

The road from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi, to Atlanta

Kennedy, who now lives in Atlanta, was born and raised in Memphis. He grew up in various parts of the Bluff City and owes his childhood to the love, care and support of his mother

He lived in South Memphis for a time and attended Ridgeway Elementary, Ridgeway Middle School, and then Ridgeway High School. He also attended Booker T. Washington High School and graduated from Collierville High, where he played basketball.

While visiting Jackson State University in Mississippi with his mother, he met the basketball coach, who assured Kennedy that the team “had a spot for me.” He didn’t have a scholarship to the school, but he felt God was watching over him.

“I don’t take credit for it,” he says. “It was God. I prayed for simple things. It was very clear that God was in control.”

Although he studied mass communication, he didn’t feel that journalism was his calling. In his second year, he was advised to take a course in the fundamentals of acting. The lecturer told him, “If that’s what you want to do, then you should do it.” He found that encouraging.

His faith helped Kennedy find his calling as an actor

Kennedy recalls praying in his third year at Jackson State University, “Lord, if you want me to do this, [pursue acting]and confirm it.”

The next day, a lecturer invited Kennedy to attend an exclusive two-week course led by veteran actor Tim Reid, known for his leading roles in “Frank’s Place”, “WKRP in Cincinnati”, “Sister Sister,” And “snoop”, as well as numerous films.

“I said to myself, ‘God, maybe this is [acting] Is for me,'” he recalls.

In his junior year, Kennedy also secured an agent. As a senior, he was encouraged by another teacher to audition for a role in “Queen Sugar.” When he learned from his agent that the casting department had inquired about his availability, Kennedy immediately told his teachers, his employer and his mother that he would be out for a few days. But nothing came of it. “I was embarrassed and I cried,” he admits. His agent later confirmed that Kennedy did indeed make his first television appearance on “Queen Sugar.”

“God showed me:It’s me [God]‘,” explains Kennedy.

In December 2022, Kennedy married Taylor Elizabeth. Their paths first crossed in 2017 and they reunited in 2021. “We see ourselves reflected in our faith and in the media,” he says.

In 2023, when he wrote the synopsis for The Forge“I knew it [the role] was for me. … The character was even like me – abandoned by his father, raised by his mother. I felt connected.”

After auditioning for the role, he received a call back while on vacation with his wife. “I’m really grateful,” he said. “It’s so satisfying to see the impact the film has on people’s hearts and feedback.”

Touch people’s hearts and move forward purposefully

Kennedy says he met a pastor who had given up his prison ministry to avoid having to face the man who killed his son. The pastor found it too traumatic to face the attacker.

“He told me,” Kennedy says, “that after watching the film he felt compelled to visit the man in prison.”

“If you can touch people’s hearts in the right way [with a movie role]then we know we are following our goal,” says Kennedy.

This spirit-led actor continues his journey into heart-wrenching cinema with an upcoming western called Florida Wild. Based on a true story, the film is set in 1884 and follows three brothers who drive 500 head of cattle from Georgia to Florida, the first cattle drive of its kind. The film also stars Elle Chapman and Lee Majors and is slated for release in 2025.

“Riding and working with the cattle was really fun,” says Kennedy. “It was a great learning experience.”

The actor paused to think. “It may sound simple, but there is power in trusting in God,” he stressed. “Surrender is beautiful. When you surrender your heart to God, you cannot miss your destiny and the plan that God has for you.”

God seems to have big plans for Memphis-born actor Aspen Kennedy.

Lynn Norment, a columnist for The Commercial Appeal, is a former editor of Ebony Magazine.

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