Story & Lesson Highlights with Sophia Brown of Los Angeles

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sophia Brown. Check out our conversation below.

Hi Sophia, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
For me, music and creative expression are what make me lose track of time and then find myself again. Whether I’m freestyling over jazz or simply letting a rhythm carry me, I often discover parts of myself I didn’t know were there. Even in something as simple as cleaning, I find layers of release — letting go of old pieces of myself and making space for the new. It’s both grounding and transformative, and it always brings me back to who I really am.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, my name is Sophia Phern. I’m a freelance creative with a love for theater and music—I write, direct, and act, drawing inspiration from visionaries like Spike Lee and Issa Rae. Jazz grounds my work, much like it did for my great-grandmother Fern King, a resilient Black woman and real estate owner in 20th-century Chicago. Though her life was tragically cut short, I’ve always felt deeply connected to her story, which continues to inspire and fuel my work.

For the past eight years, I’ve been developing Pherneternity, a piece honoring my great-great-grandmother Omega King—one of Chicago’s first Black operatic singers—and her seven daughters. These women taught and influenced legends like Marian Anderson and Leontyne Price, yet their stories, like so many Black women’s stories, are rarely told.

Through my developing brand, “Pherneternal Productions,” I’m committed to celebrating legacy, resilience, and creativity. I’m currently taking Pherneternity to London to pitch to directors, with plans to expand the project throughout the year, blending music, comedy, and performance to honor my family’s history and inspire others to tell their own stories.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself was with my first college director, David Crabb. My first play was a devised piece we wrote ourselves, and I remember crying after the final show, thanking my director for believing in me. After missing out on other roles, my mentor fought to get me an audition for a show that was already cast—and once I had the chance, the directors loved what I brought. The play was something completely unfamiliar to me, but it ended up changing my perception of theater and what’s possible when you tell your own stories. That experience taught me I could create my own opportunities. I realized I’m not someone who waits for the big role on the billboard—I build my own billboard. That’s when I first saw myself as a creative, a risk-taker, and someone who doesn’t give up.

Studying abroad in London to finish my theater degree deepened this lesson. I pioneered the BADA program with a friend, worked with mentors like Sarah Kozinn and Tristan Fynn-Aiduenu, and starred in a play for the first time, cast by my first Black director in London. It affirmed that anything is possible when you put your mind to it and that supportive collaborators exist to help you thrive. These experiences revealed my strength, creativity, and resilience—and ultimately led me to create my multimedia hybrid piece, PhernEternity.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—during a performance of the Black National Anthem at Black Grad. It was outdoors and raining, and in the middle of the song I slipped and accidentally let an F-word into the mic. I didn’t realize the entire audience of kids, grandparents, and families had heard me. I froze, forgot the words, but then halfway made some lyrics up while I pulled up the words on my phone, and finished strong. I got in trouble for the slip, but people appreciated that I pushed through and still delivered. Looking back, I learned that I should’ve never shown the audience I’d messed up—most of them couldn’t tell.

That moment taught me something bigger: giving up in the middle of a performance—or in life—means you’ll never get to the real ending. I’ve had many moments of doubt since then, but resilience always pulls me forward. Creating is too important to abandon; it’s how I honor myself, my ancestors, and the people who might be inspired by my work. As Prince said, “The more I write, the more I put out, the quicker I am to my destination.” Quitting would only stop me from ever reaching that destination, even if I don’t fully know what it is yet.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to the growth of Phern, and to discovering who I am through it. This journey began with my multimedia hybrid piece PhernEternity. I don’t want it to take an eternity, but I will devote myself to it until it reaches the place it deserves.

At times, I’ve felt shame about the time, money, and energy invested—especially given the trauma I’ve endured and the people who have hurt me along the way. But this project is bigger than those struggles. It’s a lifeline for voices that were historically silenced, disadvantaged, or unseen. My great-grandmother’s life was stolen from her too early, and PhernEternity honors her, my family, and my ancestors, while highlighting the power of knowing and celebrating ourselves.

This piece is designed for people who learn through multiple mediums—it’s about sisterhood, womanhood, resilience, and perseverance. Like the fern, the oldest living plant that grows through adversity, I’ve planted my seeds and will continue to nurture this work for the next generation.

Giving up would be easy, but this project matters too much. It’s a legacy, and I refuse to let it go.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace when I’m performing. Not so much in the moments leading up to it, but once I’m truly on stage and the music connects and the sounds system is good OOOF—everything aligns. It feels like traveling: I’m moving through different energies, reading the crowd, learning, and discovering new parts of myself while sharing with others.

Travel itself also brings me peace. When I can slow down and immerse in a place beyond the tourist spots, I feel grounded. Noticing beauty I hadn’t seen before, being near water in a warm environment, journaling, moving my body, and sharing meaningful conversations with loved ones all deepen that calm. Experiencing how art and music are valued in different cultures reminds me of the importance of creativity, both in the world and in my own life.

I’m especially excited for my upcoming full band show at El Cid on October 9th. It’s my first time performing there with a full band, and I know it’ll be one of those moments that bring me both peace and joy—the kind of experience that reminds me why I create in the first place.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Julian Strauss, Octavia Klein, Quique y Neto Cote

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