Salim Akil

Jefferson Pierce is the epitome of what black men are: He loves his wife, his children, and the community.

— Salim Akil

Michael Schultz's 'Cooley High' is a classic. Oftentimes, we don't get to see films about coming of age, especially for young African…

— Salim Akil

As an artist, I write and I do what I know and what creatively comes out of me, and I think that…

— Salim Akil

Every time I get an opportunity to do what I love to do, it's huge. It never gets old.

— Salim Akil

When you're young, taking a risk doesn't necessarily feel like a risk because you're young.

— Salim Akil

I don't walk around all the time thinking of myself as African American, but oftentimes in Hollywood, you are reminded of that…

— Salim Akil

It's a wonderful thing to see 'Wonder Woman' directed by a woman. That did have an affect on the character, the ,…

— Salim Akil

There are so many families who do not come up in a traditional household. African Americans, Latins, and, I'm sure, whites as…

— Salim Akil

Come election time, black and white politicians put on their costumes of compassion and care, shake black hands, kiss black babies, sing…

— Salim Akil

When you see a superhero that looks like you and lives in and fights in a neighborhood that is sort of like…

— Salim Akil

It doesn't make sense to constantly talk about the lack of diversity in Hollywood. We all know it's there. My wife and…

— Salim Akil

If you bury me in a grave, don't ever come visit - because you won't find me there. You'll find me in…

— Salim Akil

It's less about Trump and more about the people... If the American people are willing to elect someone like that president, then…

— Salim Akil

If I see one kid dressed up like Thunder or Lightning or Black Lightning, I'll feel like I influenced the culture in…

— Salim Akil

America has a strange relationship with its racial memory. Death has always been a constant companion of black people.

— Salim Akil

If the only thing that was interesting about Jefferson Pierce is that he is African-American, I don't think we'd have much of…

— Salim Akil

I thought I was an actor until they pointed the camera at me.

— Salim Akil

No matter how happy and peaceful you can be at a certain time, you always have this - at least, I do…

— Salim Akil

A lot of African Americans, especially men, deal with this as a part of life. I've been pulled over by the police…

— Salim Akil

You change the landscape in Hollywood with action, not words.

— Salim Akil

Most guys have to go through this: When do you separate yourself from your friends? Some of them are going to go…

— Salim Akil

Like anyone else in television, I like to explore my life experience. And I don't think African-American artists see doing shows or…

— Salim Akil

If I'm walking down the street or taking my kids trick-or-treating, and I see some young girls or boys who are dressed…

— Salim Akil

I remember, as a kid, wearing the Batman costume for Halloween and feeling empowered by that as a kid.

— Salim Akil

In this larger conversation about diversity, we want to really show that we're all the same. We are all experiencing the same…

— Salim Akil