Interview with Emmy-Nominated Producer, Director, and Author Okema T. Moore

Solely Interviewed by : London Summers

HH: Okema, your profession spans producing, directing, performing, and writing. How has your journey formed the best way you current your self within the leisure trade?

I began as a toddler actor on Sesame Avenue on the age of six. With that, I’ve been in some type of the enterprise for 40 years. Whereas I didn’t at all times maintain self-worth, large confidence, or perception in myself 100%, I at all times ensured that if I wasn’t the favored one, the beautiful one, the primary choose, or the one everybody was rooting for—I’d at all times be the fly one.

From my tomboy days as a rapper, singer, and dancer signed to Vincent Herbert within the mid-90s, to in the present day as an actor, director, and producer, how I current myself has at all times allowed me to face out. I realized early that my presentation may converse for me when my confidence or place within the room couldn’t. Immediately, being far more established, I nonetheless use my hair and private model to assist me be seen as totally different—certainly one of one most days.

HH: How do you steadiness the numerous hats you put on in each your artistic and enterprise life?

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I’ve realized to be each strategic and to compartmentalize my time to be able to be productive and present up absolutely in every house. If I’m writing, I block out particular time to be the author. After I’m performing, I put together my traces and provides my all to that second. After I’m directing, I prep and plan so I’m prepared to guide my crew creatively.

You can’t be all over the place without delay—however you are able to do many issues, one after the other.

HH: What’s essentially the most highly effective factor you’ve realized about self-image as a Black lady within the leisure trade?

In an trade that appears to favor sure textures, sizes, and complexions—none of which I possess—essentially the most highly effective lesson I’ve realized is to seek out love and affection for myself as I’m. I stand firmly in my very own magnificence, physique picture, model, texture, coloring, and most of all, my coronary heart. Who and what I’m is sufficient. That’s why my firm is named MOOREthanEnuff Media, Inc.

HH: Hype Hair celebrates the flexibility of Black hair. How has your hair journey developed over time, and what’s your go-to model proper now?

I’ve locs, however I swap it up rather a lot! From braids, to twists, to crochet, to weaves, to styling my locs themselves. My hair is at all times coiffed and funky. I really like experimenting with coloration, texture, and styling.

HH: What recommendation would you give to younger creatives who really feel pressured to adapt to sure magnificence requirements?

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As a artistic, doing you is the expectation in the present day. Conformity dilutes your uniqueness—and it’s counterintuitive to your creativity. You have got the house to point out up in your individual means, as your greatest self.

With the Crown Act and the flexibleness of what’s thought of “skilled,” you now have freedom to do it your means. Simply be sure that it’s rooted in who you actually are—and hair-wise, maintain it wholesome and clear!

I just lately directed a business for Ally Financial institution starring Jack Howard. Capturing somebody who embodied all the things I used to be as soon as informed I couldn’t be after I labored on Wall Avenue was cathartic. For the 20-something model of me who made herself small to slot in, it was deeply therapeutic.

HH: What’s one magnificence ritual or self-care behavior you by no means skip, regardless of how busy life will get?

I’ll at all times oil my scalp and do my facial routine. In my late 20s to mid-30s, I struggled with terrible cystic, hormonal zits, and nothing labored. Now that my pores and skin is lastly clear, I do all I can to maintain it that means.

As for my hair, I as soon as battled dry scalp and dandruff. Going pure taught me methods to correctly look after my scalp and hair, utilizing fewer merchandise however extra method.

HH: In case your hair may inform a narrative about your life proper now, what chapter would we be in?

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She can be in her thriving period—rising, wholesome, and cared for. Identical to me.

HH: What’s subsequent for you that you just’re most enthusiastic about—and can we get to see a brand new hair period together with it?

I’m already in a brand new hair period, however it would wrap up this fall. I’ve been sporting a curly textured weave over my locs all summer time, and it makes me look so younger! I initially bought it for my subsequent quick movie, Crossroads, the place I’m the feminine lead, however I liked how low-maintenance it was—so I saved refreshing it.

You’ll additionally see a refined model of the model within the function movie I simply shot, Larger Love, starring Dennis Haysbert, Joe Pantoliano, and Telma Hopkins.

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