We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Khaleel Hawkins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Khaleel below.

Khaleel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on hands down has to be my own sitcom. Growing up watching my favorite tv shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Martin , I would sit back inspired, wishing that one day I could be on a show just like that. I’ve always been naturally funny I feel like. I learned very early on that I had a gift to make people laugh but ironically growing up I was very shy and hated the spotlight on me. But as time went on and as I got older and became more comfortable in my own skin and in my craft, I decided that instead of waiting for someone to give me an opportunity to be on television, why not create my own. I have the talent I feel like and I have the support. So that’s what I did. I gathered up whatever money I had , I built the set for my show in my mom’s basement and I wrote out 8 episodes. I auditioned actors and literally built something from top to bottom. My show “The Khaleel Show” will always be the most meaningful project I’ve worked on because it symbolizes the one thing I’ve spent my entire life dreaming about. And I made it happen with my own two hands.

Khaleel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Khaleel Yahya Hawkins. I am a filmmaker, actor, and writer. At a very young age I knew I wanted to be in this industry and I spent most of my days writing , drawing, and creating short films. As I got older and graduated highschool I became more confident in my craft and I began making even better short films on my own. I made shorts portraying Muhammad Ali , where I actually worked out for an over a year and grew my hair out to look like him. I played Ray Charles as well where I watched countless videos on YouTube to learn how he spoke and moved. I auditioned for my first feature film that was created by someone other than myself when I was 20 years old. And that’s what got the ball rolling for me even more. Now at the age of 30 I can proudly say that I am in a place where I feel happy as a creative. I’ve done stage plays , feature films , and shorts. I’ve created my own tv show from scratch and am now working on a second season. When it downs to what sets me apart from others , I think it’s my drive and determination to create no matter what. I don’t care how much money I have or how many resources I can pull from. If I have a vision of what I want to create I’m going to find a way to make it come to life. Nothing or no one will ever stop me from creating. Now at 30 years old I’m most proud of creating my own film production company and starting my tv show- The Khaleel Show which can be found on YouTube . I want people to understand that we all are capable of creating our own reality. We just have to believe in ourselves. It’s that simple. So I want people to see me and be inspired and feel like they too can accomplish their goals.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

In my opinion I’d say the most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing how your work makes people feel on the inside. For me creating a film and then having an audience watch it is the most electrifying feeling I’ve ever experienced. You get to see first hand how your work makes that person feel. As a creative we are in such a unique position. We have the ability to influence the world around us. Especially as a filmmaker. You force people to think , to wonder what it’s like to feel love after watching two actors on screen do whatever it takes to be together. You as a creative have the special opportunity to change people’s mood. Someone could have had just the worst day ever. Then they see your work and it reminds them that today was just a bad day and nothing more.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think in order to support artists even more , we have to spark their minds while they’re young. We have to allow kids to express themselves in whatever way they feel necessary. We are stripped of our innocence (creativity) at a young age , therefore making the world in my opinion a very unhappy and disruptive place. So we need to instill in our youth whether at school or at home, that they should embrace their creativity. In terms of the older creatives as a whole I truly feel that we need to be given more opportunities to show what we’re capable of. I think that in order to support creatives , studios should come into the colleges or pick a few people monthly on social media and allow them to work on their sets. I think Hollywood should create more programs that allow creatives to indulge in the many processes it takes to create a film. Colleges can allow up and coming creatives to work with professionals in their field, giving them hands on experience doing what they love. Society as a whole can help support creatives by allowing us the space and respect to live our lives through our imagination and creativity. We need resources , mentors , money and opportunities. And if you aren’t able to help us with the money to fund our projects , allow us to be in spaces where we can learn how to get funding on our own.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/khaleelhawkins?igsh=MWhiczlpeXM4dW42ZQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thekhaleelshow?si=hqZbV-XDUv9XnhUm
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/youthfulvision?igsh=enVycjVha24xZWV2&utm_source=qr