The Penny Executive

About The Penny Executive

The Penny Executive by Foster Solomon is a one-woman show depicting the life of Maggie Lena Walker, the first African American woman to become a bank president in the United States. With over 20 distinct characters, the show highlights the trials, influence, and triumph Walker faced from the time of her birth, all the way to her death on December 15th, 1934. Having been a social entrepreneur, feminist, and activist (Walker was a member of the NAACP and Women's League of Richmond, Virginia) in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, Maggie Lena Walker's story is one of leadership and legacy that can serve as an inspiration to many. To learn more about Asia Jenine's involvement in this production, please read below!

About The Playwright

Foster Solomon (He/Him) is an actor/writer/director. Co-creator and director of the historical musical, Gabriel, about the planned Virginia slave rebellion of 1800, Solomon’s theatrical directing highlights include Arcadia and Much Ado About Nothing for Richmond Shakespeare; The Piano Lesson for Virginia Union University; To Kill a Mockingbird for The Barksdale Theatre; and the world premiere of Cartoon for a New Ceiling for New Perspectives Theater in NYC. Writing highlights include The Penny Executive: the Maggie L. Walker Story for Carpenter Science Theatre and the award-winning short film, Tamed. Solomon's dramatic feature film, Hawks Ridge, which he wrote and directed, is now streaming on Amazon Prime and Tubi. Solomon holds an MFA from The Shakespeare Theatre's Academy for Classical Acting.

Past Performances

Actress Asia Jenine was first introduced to The Penny Executive during her senior year at Rowan University. Not having any prior knowledge of Maggie Lena Walker before the show, Asia took on her story with curiosity, honor, and care. Since her first performance in 2023, Asia has had the honor of sharing The Penny Executive across New Jersey and Virginia.

All past performances include:

Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ (2023)
Midlothian High School, Midlothian, Virginia (2024)
Brightpoint Community College, Chester, Virginia (2024)
Linden High School, Linden, NJ (2024)
Mcmanus Middle School, Linden, NJ (2024)
1st Amistad Conference - Rowan University, Glassboro NJ (2024)
Brightpoint Community College, Chester, Virginia (2025)

Scene from The Penny Executive.mp4

An excerpt from The Penny Executive depicting Walker's early home life with her mother (Elizabeth Draper Mitchell), step-father (William Mitchell), and little brother (Johnny). This excerpt was taken from a performance at Linden High School in 2024.

The Penny Executive Awards & Press

Ann B. Ward Creative Achievement in Fine and Performing Arts Medallion- Asia J, Todd, Rowan University, 2023
2023 Senate Award for Diversity In Performance - Asia J. Todd

Bring The Penny Executive to YOU!

Want to experience the beauty of The Penny Executive for yourself? Contact Asia Jenine at ajenine27@gmail.com with the following subject line: Inquiry - The Penny Executive, to discuss available dates and pricing.