Musical visionary Vy Higginsen created history with her 1983 masterpiece “Mama, I Want to Sing!”—the longest-running black off-Broadway musical at Harlem’s Heckscher Theater. Her remarkable eight-year production stood as just one milestone in a career defined by breaking boundaries. She shattered glass ceilings as Ebony magazine’s first female advertising executive and pioneered new ground as one of New York’s earliest women in prime-time radio.

The stage success marked only the beginning of Higginsen’s enduring cultural impact. Her vision took new form in 1999 with the Mama Foundation for the Arts, touching countless young lives through innovative programs like Gospel for Teens. This signature initiative serves up to 300 low-income teens annually, delivering extraordinary outcomes—98% of students graduate high school, while over 80% pursue four-year college degrees within two years. Through music, Higginsen created pathways for youth to discover their voices and achieve their dreams.

Music flowed through the streets of Harlem, where Vy Higginsen’s story began in a brownstone on West 126th Street. Her childhood home stood proudly between two neighborhood landmarks—the legendary Apollo Theater and Sylvia’s Restaurant1. Rich cultural heritage shaped her early years through her father, Rev. Randolph A. Higginson1, a Barbadian immigrant and Pentecostal minister, and her mother Geraldine Payne West, who brought Virginia roots to their family tapestry.

Growing Up in a Musical Family

Sacred melodies and soul-stirring harmonies filled the Higginsen home daily. Though her father passed during her infancy, Vy’s connection to church music remained unshakeable2. Her older sister, Doris Troy, blazed a musical trail, claiming victory at the Apollo Theater’s Amateur Night3. Troy’s talent soared beyond local acclaim with “Just One Look,” reaching No. 10 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 19634.

The Influence of Gospel Music

Gospel rhythms and spiritual power shaped young Higginsen’s musical soul. Her passion showed in every service—”I used to clap so long and loud that my hands became bright red”5. These sacred sounds echoing through Harlem’s churches planted seeds for her future mission of preserving African-American musical traditions.

Education and Early Career Aspirations

Young Vy’s entrepreneurial spirit emerged at age eleven when she created an in-home childcare service for working parents6. Her drive continued through her Fashion Institute of Technology years, where evening shifts at New York Citibank, manning an adding machine, funded her education6. These early signs of determination pointed toward her future triumphs in media and entertainment.

Breaking Barriers in Media and Entertainment

Fresh from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Higginsen blazed new trails across media landscapes. Her groundbreaking journey began at Ebony magazine, where she became the first woman to work in their advertising sales department2. Her skillful promotion of Black culture balanced delicately with corporate relationships, opening doors for future generations7.

First Female Executive at Ebony Magazine

Higginsen’s marketing prowess shone brightly at Ebony, where she brought fresh insights into Black consumer markets6. Her pioneering presence reshaped expectations for women in media leadership, creating ripples still felt today.

Pioneering Role in Radio Broadcasting

The Columbia School of Broadcasting polished her natural talents, catching program manager Frankie Crocker’s attention6. Her distinctive voice soon made history at WBLS as New York’s first female prime-time radio personality8. Listeners connected deeply with her sophisticated style and unique programming throughout her five-year run6.

Launching Unique NY Magazine

Her creative vision expanded into publishing with Unique NY magazine’s debut in 19756. This fresh voice in lifestyle media celebrated African-American culture and urban life, speaking directly to both locals and tourists8. The publication showcased her talent for connecting with diverse audiences while maintaining her dynamic radio presence.

Her powerful voice resonated across New York’s airwaves for a decade, reaching listeners through WBLS-FM, WWRL-AM, and WRKS-FM8. Each breakthrough strengthened her legacy as a pioneering force in Black media, proving that talent knows no gender bounds.

Music magic sparked between Vy Higginsen and her future husband Ken Wydro during a casual January 1979 conversation9. Their shared passion would soon birth a musical masterpiece that touched hearts worldwide.

Inspiration Behind the Musical

Soul stirred at the heart of this creation—the remarkable story of Higginsen’s sister, Doris Troy, whose 1963 hit “Just One Look” carried her voice across oceans9. Troy’s journey from church choir to international stardom echoed the paths of musical giants like Aretha Franklin and Patti LaBelle9.

Development and Production Process

New York’s major producers turned their backs on the project, skeptical of gospel music’s broad appeal9. Yet faith moved mountains—Higginsen and Wydro poured their life savings into breathing new life into East Harlem’s forgotten Heckscher Theater, dormant for 15 years9. Their hands worked miracles, clearing chains and dust from 632 seats, restoring dignity to each corner10.

Impact on Off-Broadway Theater

March 23, 1983, marked more than a premiere—it launched a cultural phenomenon9. “Mama, I Want to Sing!” soared beyond expectations, [attracting more than 3 million spectators](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mama,_I_Want_to_Sing!_(musical) and generating $62.30 million within four years9. The musical’s spirit touched souls across:

• European stages from Switzerland to London, reaching Asian audiences in Japan10
• Caribbean islands and American cities11
• Madison Square Garden’s Paramount Theater, where 40,000 hearts beat as one9

Pure gospel truth resonated beyond borders—audiences worldwide shared tears and joy at the same powerful moments11. The musical’s voice grew stronger with [2,800 performances](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mama,_I_Want_to_Sing!_(musical) in New York and 1,000 additional shows internationally9. This beautiful legacy lives on through two sequels and a 2012 film starring Ciara12.

Musical dreams found their permanent home when Higginsen established the Mama Foundation for the Arts in 1999, creating a sacred space where Black musical heritage flourishes and grows13.

Vision and Mission

Sweet soul music beats at the foundation’s heart, preserving precious African American musical treasures—gospel, jazz, and R&B14. Each note carries healing power, each song builds bridges between communities, making the foundation a vibrant Harlem sanctuary where authentic voices rise and spirits soar14.

Gospel for Teens Program

Sweet harmonies filled Harlem’s streets when Higginsen unveiled her Gospel for Teens program in 2006, welcoming young voices aged 13-19 into a world of musical discovery15. Young talents step through the doors of a historic Harlem brownstone each year, ready to audition and embrace their musical destiny15. The program’s magic touches every aspect of students’ lives:

• Nurtures 300 young artists annually5
• Shapes strong minds and confident hearts5
• Thrives on community support and generous spirits15
• Keeps doors open to all, regardless of means16

Community Impact and Recognition

Musical seeds planted in Harlem soil bloom across the world. The foundation’s melody touches 10,000 young hearts and half a million community members14. One million souls worldwide have felt its harmonious embrace since day one14.

National spotlights shone bright when CBS’s “60 Minutes” celebrated Gospel for Teens in 2012, earning two Emmy Awards for their double-length feature5. Fresh programs like Mama Music Matters, In-School Programming, and the Harlem Healing Project carry Higginsen’s musical torch forward14. Each note sung, each lesson shared builds bridges between past and future, keeping precious musical traditions alive in young hearts.

Musical pioneer, media trailblazer, community builder—Vy Higginsen’s story sings with purpose and possibility. Her groundbreaking roles at Ebony magazine and New York radio opened doors for countless women in media, proving talent knows no boundaries.

“Mama, I Want to Sing!” emerged as more than a musical masterpiece—it became a cultural bridge, sharing Black church traditions with millions worldwide. This artistic triumph bloomed into an even greater gift: the Mama Foundation for the Arts, where musical heritage finds its forever home.

Gospel for Teens stands tall among Higginsen’s proudest achievements. Young voices rise stronger each year, with 98% of students graduating high school and 80% stepping confidently into college classrooms. These numbers tell a powerful story—music opens minds, builds confidence, and changes lives.

Sweet melodies still float through Harlem’s streets, carrying dreams from brownstone to Broadway. Higginsen’s legacy lives in every young artist who finds their voice through her programs. Her remarkable journey proves that when passion meets purpose, cultural preservation becomes community transformation, touching hearts across generations.

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