Vy Higginsen

Vy Higginsen is an American theater producer, playwright, former disc jockey, and radio and television personality. She is the founder and executive director of the Mama Foundation for the Arts, and the co-writer and co-producer of the 1983 musical Mama, I Want to Sing!, the longest running Black off-Broadway musical in American history.

Early life and education Higginsen grew up in Bronx, New York City in a musical family; her parents, sister, and grandmother all sang. Her father was a Pentecostal minister. Higginsen played the role of the narrator in the musical. Her brother, Randy, and sister Doris also appeared in Mama. The play was made into a film of the same name, in which Higginsen also appeared along with her daughter, Knoelle.

In 1999, Higginsen founded the Mama Foundation for the Arts, a non-profit arts organization in Harlem.

In 2012, Higginsen founded Harlem Records, an independent record label. 2012 – 'Shine A Light' recognition, BET Awards 2012 – Thomas A. Dorsey Most Notable Achievement Award, Stellar Gospel Music Awards