Exclusively interview by: London Summers
HH: Okema, your career extends, direction, action and writing. How has your journey shaped the way you present yourself to the entertainment industry?
I started as a children’s actress on Sesame Street at the age of six. With this, I have been in some form of business for 40 years. While I didn’t always have self-esteem, great confidence or faith in myself 100%, I always made sure that if I were not the popular, the handsome, the first choice or the one that everyone was rooted-I would always be the fly.
From my days as a rapper, a singer and dancer signed to Vincent Herbert in the mid -1990s, to date as an actor, director and producer, how I present myself has always allowed me to stand out. I learned early that my presentation could talk about me when my trust or position in the room could not. Today, it is much more established, I still use my hair and personal style to help me consider different – one of the most days.
HH: How do you balance the many hats you wear in both your creative and business life?
– Advertising –
I have learned to be as strategic and separate my time to be productive and fully appear in every space. If I write, I exclude the specific time to become a writer. When I act, I prepare my lines and I give everything at that time. When I direct, prepare and plan, so I’m ready to drive my team creatively.
You can’t be everywhere at the same time – but you can do many things one at a time.
HH: What is the most powerful thing you have learned about self-image as a black woman in the entertainment industry?
In an industry that seems to favor certain textures, sizes and skin – none of which I possess – the most powerful lesson I have learned is to find love and love for myself as I am. I stand firmly in my own beauty, body image, style, texture, coloring and above all, my heart. Who and what I am enough. That’s why my company is called Moorethannuff Media, Inc.
HH: Hype Hair celebrates the flexibility of black hair. How did your hair journey evolve over the years and what is your style now?
I have places, but I change it a lot! From braids, twists, crochet, weavers, to style my own places. My hair is always co iffed and cool. I like to experiment with color, texture and style.
HH: What advice would you give to young creatives that feel pressured to comply with certain beauty standards?
– Advertising –
As creative, your expectation today. Compliance dilutes your uniqueness – and is opposed to your creativity. You have the space to appear in your own way, as your best self.
With the Crown Act and the flexibility of what is considered “professional”, you now have the freedom to do it in your own way. Just make sure it has roots on who you are really-and hair-wise, keep it healthy and clean!
I recently directed an advertising for Ally Bank starring Jack Howard. I aim for someone who incorporated everything I once told me that I couldn’t be when I was working on Wall Street was laxative. For my 20-something that made herself little to fit, she was deeply therapeutic.
HH: What is a beauty ritual or the self-care habit you never miss, no matter how busy life does it get?
I will always pass my scalp and make my face routine. In the late 1920s to the mid -1930s, I fought with a terrible cystic, hormonal acne and nothing worked. Now that my skin is finally clean, I do everything I can to keep it like that.
As for my hair, I once fought dry scalp and dandruff. My natural taught how to properly take care of my scalp and hair, using fewer products but more technique.
HH: If your hair could tell a story about your life right now, what chapter would we be in?
– Advertising –
It would be in its thriving era, healthy and care. Just like me.
HH: What will follow for you who are more excited – and we will arrive with a new hair era with it?
I am already in a new era of hair but will complete this autumn. I have worn a curly weave texture over my places all summer, and makes me look so young! I first got it for the next short film, crossroads, where I am the female lead, but I liked how low maintenance it was-so I kept revitalizing it.
You will also see a sophisticated version of the style in the feature film I just shot, higher love, starring Dennis Haysbert, Joe Pantoliano and Telma Hopkins.
