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Honor Lady B.J. Crosby By Donating To Her Funeral Expenses

Published

April 2, 2015

Last week we sadly reported on the passing of legendary New Orleans and Broadway vocalist, Lady B.J. Crosby. Known for her show stopping work in Smokey Joe’s Cafe, for which she earned a Tony nomination, she captivated the heart of so many people. However, in recent years, due to her medical condition, she was unable to receive life insurance and as we all know death is sometimes more expensive than living.

A GoFundMe campaign was set up 6 days ago by her son, Joseph Fa-Eva Otg Elloie, with a goal of 25,000 to help with her medical and funeral costs. At the time of this post the campaign has a little over $20,000 of its $25,000 goal. The GoFundMe is described below:

On March 27, 2015 at approximately 1:20 pm the entertainment world lost one of its greatest players. JoAnn “Lady BJ” Crosby, singer and stage/screen actress died from complications of diabetes and a stroke. For the past five years JoAnn had been unable to get life insurance as a result of her illnesses. We ask for your assistance to offset medical and funeral expenses. Please give as she gave the world the gift of music.

If Lady B.J. has ever touched your heart & soul with her talent help to ensure she receives a proper burial and service by donating HERE. Every dollar counts.

R.I.P. Lady BJ. We Love You! You are Broadway Black!

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Written By Drew Shade

Drew Shade is a visionary creative force at the intersection of Black theatre, media, and culture. As the Founder and Creative Director of Broadway Black, Off-Book: The Podcast, and The Antonyo Awards, he champions artistic excellence and amplifies the voices of Black theatre artists with intention, heart, and unapologetic pride. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Playbill, Deadline, The Observer, and Apple TV’s Dear…, and he's collaborated with brands and institutions such as NBC, BET, Audible, Universal Pictures, SheaMoisture, The Public Theater, Signature Theatre, National Black Theatre, and more. He has also served as a cultural consultant and curator for countless Broadway productions for over a decade — establishing himself as a trusted voice and tastemaker in theatre and media. In addition to his work behind the scenes, Shade is a performer and creative artist in his own right, with credits including Classical Theatre of Harlem’s The First Noel at The Apollo, The Preacher’s Wife musical at The Alliance Theatre, and a Sondheim tribute concert at Carnegie Hall led by Tituss Burgess. He’s also lent his voice to campaigns for Google and continues to explore visual storytelling through photography — from red carpets to press coverage. Rooted in joy, justice, and the belief that Black theatre is both legacy and revolution, Shade continues to build platforms and shine light where it’s long been overdue — so Black artists are seen, heard, and celebrated on their own terms. “Have a belief in yourself that is bigger than anyone’s disbelief.” – August Wilson