Chris Marie shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Chris, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. When was the last time you felt true joy?
Two weeks ago, while on patrol with the NYPD in Brooklyn, a little boy walked up to me and just started hugging my legs. Then he touched my knee and said “Chase, Chase!” I smiled, bent down to his eye level and said “oh sweetie, I can’t chase you right now, my uniform is a little tight since I put on some weight. Also, I’m working now, however we can play catch if you’d like?” The little boy kept tapping my knee, so I asked him if he wanted a hug? He smiled, nodded his head and then said “yes.” He then called me Chase, and told me his name is Kobe. I asked him how old he is and Kobe replied “Four!” Kobe kept trying to rub my knee, so I asked him if he wanted to sit on my lap and he smiled big and said “YES please!” I struggled to pick up this darling, adorable, voluptuous four year old child.
A man walked over and said “he’s very heavy Officer, you might throw out your back. Hi, I’m Denzel, Kobe’s father. My son Kobe thinks your Chase from Paw Patrol. Chase, is on the case.”
I have no idea who or what that is, so I smiled and said “Awww.” Kobe, told me he now plays football and he likes me. Kobe asked to hold my hand and I gave it to him. Kobe told me he loves sports and that his nickname in football is The Hulk.
Kobe shared his hopes and dreams with me, and when my captain called to say I’m done, I hugged Kobe, told him he’s enough, and then I walked away.
I walked approximately 50 feet and I heard a little voice say “Chase, wait!” So, I stopped and turned around. Kobe was giving a cute little jog towards me. Kobe said, “I didn’t get to hug you for ten seconds and I wanted to kiss you on your cheek in case I don’t see you tomorrow. We hugged for 35 seconds and his dad Denzel said Kobe can give me a peck on my left cheek.
There were about 280 people in the park that day. I was working a memorial for an 11 year old boy whom was killed by the NYPD. I was a little nervous to work this detail since I’m in an NYPD uniform.
Two days later, I received word that the onlookers in the park that day said they watched my interaction with Kobe the entire time and they knew they’d be safe around me. That made me feel like I was making a difference and it truly made me feel true joy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Cheers, I am Chrismarie. For 11 years I have directed, produced, booked, and starred in the Off-Broadway, Interactive, International, Touring, Educational, One woman show Harriet Tubman Herself. This show is based on interviews Tubman gave back in 1868 discussing her harrowing journey to freedom. I sing the same songs Tubman sang on the plantation. I use real lanterns and quilts to help tell Tubman’s story. My contract was for only four shows. Recently in Paris was my 780th show. I partnered with the University of Michigan to perform annually at their Dr. King symposium. I created six different versions of this show I created with Hollywood book and theatre critic Morna Murphy Martell. Megan The Stallion’s team hand picked me to be featured in her NIKE commercial streaming now on Youtube with 8 million views. I sing the same Ol Negro Spirituals Tubman sang on the plantation. The first week in September 2025, was my 795th show at a Black Owned Farm in Washington, DC. What made this extra special was the fact that Tubman’s bestie Frederick Douglass’s old home/museum is less than two blocks away. I received my 790th standing ovation that night from 113 people in attendance. On the 21st of September, I will have my 796th Harriet show for the staff of Newark’s Mayor Ras Baraka. Lastly, I’m working on a sneaker line and clothing line for plus sized people. The NYPD awarded me the officer of the Year in 2024. Every week, Harriet and I drive to a new city and or state to pitch this one woman show. Every four months, we drive to West Hollywood, CA from NYC. It only takes us 58 hours.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
When I was 13, my friends and I were walking to go get lunch. As we walked, I saw a friend from sixth grade walking with two other boys. One of the boys, JC caught my eye. I asked JC how old he is and JC said “17 years old, you?” I smiled, and the words “I’m 16!” left my mouth. I couldn’t believe that I just lied to this boy. I knew if I told JC the truth, he’d walk away. Fast forward two months later and we are dating. Shortly after. JC started to walk with a limp and he told me he hurt his leg playing basketball. Then three weeks later, JC had blood clots surrounding his cornea. His entire left eye was red from his blood vessels popping. JC thought it happened because his friend accidentally hit him in the eye playing basketball. So, we went to a clinic and he was given eye drops, which cleared up the blood clots. We were both relieved. Three weeks later, the blood clots returned. JC and I were shocked. So, we went to get a second opinion and that’s when we learned that JC had a tumor pushing his right eye out of his socket. His parents were immediately called and they needed to sign for an emergency eye surgery. All of these tests were done on JC, and that’s when we found out JC has cancer and he might have a year to live. JC was transferred to the NYU Medical Center on 1st ave in NYC, where I visited him everyday. I would rub his feet, change his bed pan, clean around the tubes in his chest where the Chemo would enter, read to him, and just be a listening ear. Now, I’m 14 years old and traveling to Manhattan every day by train and bus, all by myself. I visited JC for the next seven months. We celebrated my 15th birthday in his hospital room. JC was looking forward to going to Morehouse College. and I planned on running away with JC. I packed my bags and I was just waiting for JC to be discharged. While JC was in the hospital, I was getting driving lessons so I could drive us to Georgia when the time came. I’m at JC’s grandma’s house getting dressed to head back to the hospital to visit JC. As I’m in the shower, JC’s grandma knocks on the door. I like long showers, and I knew I needed to get out asap. So, I hopped out the tub, put my robe on, opened the door and said “sorry Grandma, I’ll be dressed in four minutes.” Grandma looked at me, and said “I just got off the phone with my daughter, my grandson JC just took his last breath.” I cried everyday for the next seven years. Although my heart broke, this entire situation did build a lot of character. It prepared me for the hard times I’d face as an entrepreneur. It prepared me for the mental resilience I’d need for when I ended up living in my car and living paycheck to paycheck. This situation built character although I couldn’t see it at the time.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
When I couldn’t contain my tears, I decided to release them during my Harriet Tubman performances as a form of therapy. Then after a year, I started to feel joy in my heart and soul again.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
*I’m committed to My Harriet Tubman Herself show/Experience.
*People told me and still tell me, your too fat, your hair texture is too thick, how can you make a career out of performing a one woman show about Harriet Tubman.
*Who cares about Harriet?
*Can you even pull this off?
*I’m going on 12 years strong, A NIKE contract, three AT&T contracts.
*Meeting Harrison Ford, Jamie Foxx, Steven Spielberg, Regina King, Quentin Tarantino, Angelina Jolie, Sterling K. Brown, Angela Bassett, Billy Bob Thornton, and Tyler Perry to name a few. They all told me to keep going.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What will you regret not doing?
Not investing in real estate. I donated 98% of my NIKE and AT&T money to send American children and adults to school. I also made it possible for Ugandan orphans (who want to be students,) with HIV and AIDS to go to school and have their medicine and books. I’m happy I did it, however I didn’t pay me first or save/invest anything for my future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://harriettubmanherself.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/harriettubmanherself
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Harriettubmanherself1?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Harriettubmanherself
- Other: https://tiktok.com/@harriettubmanherself
Image Credits
The three crisp photos with the children, are by The university of Michigan photographer. The high 5 and two group hugs. I can’t find her name.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
