Meet Soyini

Soyini Malene Crenshaw I was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY.

My parents raised three girls of which I am the oldest. I developed an interest in the arts as a young child. I remember around 4 years old pretending I was a cabaret singer.

I would make lyrics as I went along. My mother used to play Mahalia Jackson records and I would sing along with her wanting to sing like her. Marla Gibbs and Debbie Allen were my biggest influences growing up. Throughout grade school through college I sang in various church and gospel choirs; I enjoyed singing and acting.

I went to Howard University where I received a BS degree in Human Development and later received an MSW from Adelphi University. Even though I was working as a Social Worker, the acting bug remained strong and I took a break from Social Work and went back to school where I received an MFA in Acting from Actors Studio Drama School from Pace University.

Since then I have continued working in Social Work and have been doing off-off Broadway plays and independent films. I continue taking acting classes with Roz Coleman, Tracey Moore, and Marishka Phillips.