Garcelle Beauvais

Best known for her roles on both the big and small screens, Haitian-born actress Garcelle Beauvais co-stars with Hanna Linden in the TNT legal drama “Franklin & Bash.” Season two begins this coming June.

Beauvais’s film “Flight,” starring Denzel Washington, is due out this fall. Beauvais also recently wrapped a role alongside Isaiah Washington in the David E. Talbert play “Suddenly Single,” which will air on BET in September.

She is now preparing to shoot the independent film “Small Time,” alongside Chris Meloni and Bridget Moynahan, directed by Joel Surnow.

In addition to her busy schedule as an actress, Beauvais has been inspired by motherhood to write a children’s book series, titled I Am, addressing identity issues relevant to many children today. The first book in the series, I Am Mixed, about siblings of mixed ethnicities, is due out this summer.

Additionally, Beauvais supports the Step Up Women’s Network and is active with March of Dimes.

ROBIN BRONK: If you had five minutes in the Oval Office with President Obama, what would you discuss with him? What issue would you like him to know about?

GARCELLE BEAUVAIS: I’d like to discuss healthcare. I don’t understand when we live in this great country of ours why we are still struggling with this issue. I have 4-year-old twins and I’d like to know that they will be taken care of.

RB: If you could ask President Obama one question, what would that be?

GB: What’s the secret to a great marriage? From where I sit, it seems like they’re still  in love and have great respect for each other. It’s great.

RB: What piece of advice would you give President Obama as he hits the campaign trail for the upcoming election?

GB: I believe integrity speaks volumes. I would say, please, no mudslinging with other opponents. Come from an honest place, as challenging as that is in politics. His slogan should now be, “We just need more time.”

RB: If you were going to send the president to one of your favorite places in the United States for one day, where would that be? Why?

GB: My backyard in Los Angeles — he could sit by the pool, read a book and no one would know he was there.

RB: What CD/piece of music would you recommend that President Obama add to his collection? Why?

GB: Tabou Combo is a famous Haitian band. Its rhythm is infectious. I could see Mr. President grooving to it!

RB: Would you ever consider a political career? 

GB: Uh, no, thanks, I already have enough on my plate, being a mommy, actress and now author! 

Robin Bronk is CEO of The Creative Coalition — the leading national, nonprofit, nonpartisan public advocacy organization of the entertainment industry. Bronk is a frequent speaker on the role of the entertainment industry in public advocacy campaigns and represents The Creative Coalition and its legislative agenda before members of Congress and the White House. She produced the feature film “Poliwood,” airing on Showtime, and edited the recently published book Art & Soul. Bronk pens this weekly column with assistance from Risa Kotek.