As a young, Black man, I absolutely feel responsible.

I really got attracted to the idea of touching so many people and that idea of art transcending entertainment and art and activism being synonymous.

That [Louisiana culture] was all very new to me. I read books and watched documentaries, just trying to immerse myself.

[Ralph Angel] was really about figuring out the humanity aspect of the character and not really paying attention to certain things like him being incarcerated or him being a father and showing that type of love and putting something before you, despite me not having kids in real life. He's vulnerable, ambitious and alive.

As much as he's been through, he's so alive and open to change. That's what I wanted to channel and I feel that's the root of who he is. So I was still and listening to God. All of that came together to really birth this human being known as Ralph Angel.

I just owe it to myself, to God and to everybody who supports me and people who don't even know me yet, to just be fully intentional and authentically real with everything I do, say and create.

I've worked so hard to just be my full self and God has just validated me in so many ways.