Photographing celebrity host, actor and activist Ron B through the years
I met Ron B in 2007. She was performing at a World AIDS Day event I was covering. The first thing that stood out to me, upon seeing her on stage, and then off stage, when she came to introduce herself to me, was the way she connected and interacted with people. That’s true to this day, and I think it’s part of who she is, as an actor, activist…and person. Ron B connects with the audience, while on stage (or, as I’ve found out over the years, in-studio), and she’s warm, candid, and always thoughtful.
Ron B is a celebrity impersonator and celebrity host of MNN’s show No Boundaries Up Close and Personal. She’s an actor, and LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS advocate. Ron B is also a phenomenal friend, supporter, and role model. And for now more than a decade, I’ve had the amazing opportunity to tell her story, or at least part of her story, in words and images. Here are a few examples:
The first time I had the chance to sit down and chat with Ron B was in early 2008, for an Out IN Jersey Magazine article, “Just Call Me Ron B.” Here’s an excerpt:
Many may know Ron B. from her appearances in Law & Order and Angels in America. Others may have seen her perform as Tina Turner at Oxygen in the Village or for children with HIV/AIDS in Staten Island. Many more may be familiar with Ron B.’s activism work. But who is, really, Ron B.?
“I am a lot of times unsure, a lot of times creative, many times sensitive, but most of all, I think it’s the transition within that kinda makes me almost the mother figure for many who are underprivileged,” Ron B. candidly answers, “because most of my life I had to fight for what I believe in. And I continue this [emotional and spiritual] fight to bring myself to the being the Great Creator [the power above all of us] wants me to be.”
Behind the scenes during Ron B’s show, No Boundaries Up Close and Personal. 
Photographing Ron B’s show No Boundaries: Up Close and Personal, taped at MNN, the Manhattan Neighborhood Network. 
Ron B. performing on her show, No Boundaries Up Close and Personal, at Manhattan Neighborhood Network, in NYC. Photo by Alina Oswald. All Rights Reserved. 
No Boundaries Up Close and Personal: Ron B performing on stage at MNN. Photo by Alina Oswald. 
Ron B performing. No Boundaries show at MNN. Photo by Alina Oswald.
A New York native, Ron B. is also a Native American. It was Ron B.’s Native American heritage that gave the performer strength in her chosen career. […]
Ron B at a 2018 pre-Halloween and bday No Boundaries show, poses with the June print issue of A&U Magazine—America’s Magazine opened to a feature story about the activist and actor. 
Ron B show, No Boundaries Up Close and Personal. Group pictures by Alina Oswald. 
On the panel and also photographing Ron B’s show, No Boundaries Up Close and Personal at MNN. Photo by Alina Oswald. 
On the panel and also photographing Ron B’s show, No Boundaries Up Close and Personal at MNN. Photo by Alina Oswald. 
On the panel and also photographing Ron B’s show, No Boundaries Up Close and Personal at MNN. Photo by Alina Oswald. 
On the panel and also photographing Ron B’s show, No Boundaries Up Close and Personal at MNN. Photo by Alina Oswald. 
Ron B and DJ Mimi performing on the set of No Boundaries: Up Close and Personal show, at MNN in NYC. Photo by Alina Oswald. 
Performing artist PepC introduces actor and activist, and No Boundaries show host, Ron B. Photo by Alina Oswald. 
Ron B & PepC performing at MNN in NYC. Photo by Alina Oswald. 
Photographing and being on the Ron B show, No Boundaries-Up Close and Personal, at MNN, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, in NYC. Event photography. 
Bts images from RonB’s show, No Boundaries. Photo by Alina Oswald. All Rights Reserved.
The Ron B. people know today is really “a catalyst” of everything that defines her as an entertainer, actor, celebrity impersonator, and activist for the rights of people who have been discriminated against.
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Actor and activist Ron B at Brooklyn Pride March 2019. The only twilight Pride in NYC. Photo by Alina Oswald. All Rights Reserved. 
Brooklyn Pride March 2019. Actor and activist Ron B at Brooklyn Pride March 2019. The only twilight Pride in NYC. Photo by Alina Oswald. All Rights Reserved. 
Brooklyn Pride March 2019
For over a decade and counting, Ron B has been the celebrity host of No Boundaries Up Close and Personal, an MNN show I’ve been fortunate to be part of many times. At the end of each show, Ron B says “And remember, there are no boundaries to what you can achieve in life.” These words stay with you beyond the studio walls and long after the show ends. In 2018 Ron B shared with me more about her show and her activism work (and, yes, Angels in America) in our interview for A&U Magazine– Breaking Boundaries article published in the Pride 2018 issue of A&U Magazine–America’s AIDS Magazine.
Thank you, Ron B, and many thanks to the readers and followers of this blog for your ongoing support.
I much appreciate it and, as always, thank you for stopping by!
Alina Oswald 