I had a cheat sheet because I knew Tarell [Alvin McCraney]. His movie is largely autobiographical. I knew about certain events in his life and some of the people he talks about. I had visited the place where he lived many times so I understood innately what that was.

The surgeries were the hardest scenes for me because it's literally balancing so many balls in the air, at the same time, and each surgery is different.

I think working on Shakespeare was a big part of my time at drama school. I'm so glad that I got to know Shakespeare and got a chance to play great parts in Shakespeare, because it really teaches you - or taught me, anyway - everything.

Barry Jenkins just cast the right people and framed things the right way.

Now, perhaps more than ever, we need more and more examples of healing. We need to learn what it takes to heal.

The policies enacted during segregation are still being felt in Birmingham.

I am also producing and writing a bunch.