Alison Mills-Newman

Alison Mills Newman was born on Long Island, New York to Theodore Mills, a research scientist and Margaret Mills, who held a Ph.D in Education. Alison grew up in Los Angeles and worked as a professional actress from the age of 12. She is best known as one of the original cast members on NBC’s pioneering television series, Julia, starring Diahann Caroll. Alison co-starred on The Leslie Uggams Show on the Sugarhill weekly segments, playing Leslie’s hip sister, Oletha. The series aired on CBS as part of its 1969 fall lineup and was the second variety series to feature an African American host since 1956’s The Nat King Cole Show.

Alison guest-starred on several television series including: Love Boat, Mr. Novak, and The John Forsythe Show, and starred with John Wayne and Valerie Harper on the television special Rap UP.

She studied for four years at the American Theatre of Being under the direction of Frank Silvera, and appeared appeared on and Off-Broadway. At the age of 22, she sang with Ornette Coleman, and also sang with Taj Mahal, Don Cherry. Herb Alpert, and the Weather Report (with whom she was a guest star at the Playboy Jazz Festival).

Alison is an accomplished author. She wrote several books including Francisco, published by Reed, Cannon and Johnson. The book appeared on the New York Times recommended list and received the following positive review from American novelist, essayist, book editor, and Nobel Prize Winner, Toni Morrison: “Alison Mills has done the rare thing…[she has] written with beauty, power and purity about a woman.” Alison also wrote the deeply emotive novel Maggie 3. The story chronicles the life of the main character, Maggie, as she struggles to be sincere and true to the loves of her life. Collectively, they embark on a quest to shape a life consistent with the highest spiritual and moral demands of their times.

Alison wrote, directed and produced the film The Tree Widow, based on the novel of the same title. A study guide accompanies the film. Along with her late husband, Francisco Toscono Newman, Alison ministered in Los Angeles, California in the inner city, and was instrumental in steering many young men from gangs. The couple used their home to share the love of God and bring the men to church to ignite their faith in Christ. Many young people in the area could not read at the age of 17. Francisco and Alison held Friday night youth services, where the young people were taught to read.

The couple traveled to Cannes Film Festival for the screening of their independent and award-winning film, Virgin Again. The film explores the life of a woman caught in adultery. Virgin Again was directed and produced by Alison and received the Honorable Mention Award from the International Philadelphia Film Festival. The film aired on AIB.TV and the Black Family Network. Following the release of the film, the couple shared their story and faith in Jesus Christ with many media outlets, including E Entertainment.

After Francisco Newman passed away, Alison moved to Atlanta, Georgia. She currently ministers around the country on radio, in churches and colleges and has traveled to a number of countries around the world to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is the CEO of Keep the Faith Film Ministries, which includes Women, You Are Loved Ministries, a series of conferences based on the Biblical book of Proverbs.