I used to walk in the burnt up Harlem of the '80s, and I'd look at brownstones that were dilapidated or apartment buildings, thinking 'Whoever designed this and built this did not want it to look like this.' So, I used to visualize one day being able to contribute and build in Harlem.

Malik Yoba

Being raised Muslim, we had to get up at the crack of dawn to pray. There was no sleeping in, no getting up Saturday morning to watch cartoons because there was no TV in the house. But you got up and you worked, cleaned the house.

Malik Yoba

At the end of the day, there's so much work that has to be done to impact positive change in any direction you look.

Malik Yoba

I've always been an activist, so my participation in community outreach and helping is just a natural extension of that.

Malik Yoba

Baltimore and Detroit - they are solid cities.

Malik Yoba

Being a part of 'Empire' was a wonderful experience and opportunity to work with everyone involved.

Malik Yoba

Success is putting one step in front of the other to get through that door whatever that door is.

Malik Yoba

From a genre perspective and a character perspective, you know, sky's the limit.

Malik Yoba

I'm a very funny person that doesn't get the chance to do a lot of comedy, and the same thing with my accents.

Malik Yoba

My mother ran away from my father after 16 years of being married to him. She was 16 when she hooked up with him. She left him after having six kids.

Malik Yoba

Film and television, one is generally faster. Television generally moves faster in terms of directing, schedules and getting things done. Film, you're on a pretty tight schedule, so the process is the dame.

Malik Yoba

Most people haven't figured out when you are of service to other people outside of just yourself, the doorway for opportunity and blessings come in a very very different way.

Malik Yoba

As a black man, you learn at an early age the police are not your friends.

Malik Yoba

The issues that black men face oftentimes are the issues that everyone faces. Do you have the ability to be present? Are you working on yourself? Do you understand what it means to be a man? To be responsible, loving, vulnerable?

Malik Yoba

When you do a pilot, you can't always tell what you have.

Malik Yoba

To me, acting is simple. People put other things in front of it, but it's staying in truth.

Malik Yoba

It took me until my 40s to realize the five essential areas that are important to at least have a real dating chance. Obviously, beyond the physical compatibility, which is where we all start in junior high school, I think that intellectual compatibility and spiritual compatibility, emotional intelligence, and financial compatibility are important.

Malik Yoba

I've played lots of law enforcement agents, and I do have friends that are in the bureau, in the DEA, and who are detectives and captains.

Malik Yoba

If you tell yourself you can't, you're right.

Malik Yoba

I break rules all the time.

Malik Yoba

I don't think it pays to just be an artist, particularly for kids of color - there will be fewer roles.

Malik Yoba