Gemma McIlhenny was raised in West Philadelphia and attended Overbrook High School as a Fine Arts Major. Under the instruction of her mother and The Philadelphia Arts League Gemma developed a love of theater and acting, performing in various productions around the city. During her teenage years she volunteered in various community service based artistic endeavors. The primary focus was to allow inner-city youth a safe environment to express themselves through the arts . She later majored in Fine Arts at Philadelphia Community College before pursuing a career in law enforcement. Since then, Gemma has taught dance and drama with 'The Mount Airy Learning Tree'. She can be seen on network television shows such as her recurring role on New Amsterdam (NBC). As well as FBI (CBS), East New York (CBS), Power Book II: Ghost (Starz), Inventing Anna (Netflix), and many other film productions.

*Photo Credit Maggie Shirk Photography*