Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Raèl Ba. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Raèl, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I used to believe the younger you can start your career the better. And in my case, that looked like becoming a professional child actor. Since I was 6, I wanted to be on Disney Channel badly, as I’m sure a lot of us did. Although I did not officially start my career in Hollywood until I was 24 years old, which is late to some people, looking back those 18 years in between were the preparation years of my skills as a storyteller but more importantly a business woman that is necessary for a lifelong work commitment in the Arts.

And those preparation years were all about failing. I actually enrolled in performing arts school at 10 years old and have developed my character skills and entertainment business understanding every day since. So I’d say, starting a career later gave me the confidence to learn how fail in private, tailor those mistakes and then embrace my unique abilities. Something my alma matter liked to call “failing forward”.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Certainly! I am a Senegalese American Actress and Educator born in charm city Baltimore, Maryland.

As an actress I’ve worked in Commercials, Television, Big / Small Budget Movies and my personal favorite – Voiceovers. I’ve worked as the lead performer with companies such as T- Mobile, AT&T, Burger King and Uber Eats. And on the screen for Hulu, HBO, Amazon and most recently AMC Network.

As an educator I’ve worked with government and non profit organizations assisting kids in grades K-12 and giving training workshops at the University level. I’ve work with school districts all over the country and partnered with tech companies to develop school curriculums in English literature for reading, writing, comprehension or performance.

I know, I do a lot. And I LOVE it.

My work in the Entertainment Industry and the Education Tech Industry both allow me to utilize storytelling to connect people together and inspire them into action.

Funny enough, I started this intersected career through my own education as a child. For grades 6-12 I attended magnet schools as a Theater Arts major, meaning I had to audition and take a test just attend this middle school. Before I turned 17, I was trained in everything from Shakespeare to Piano to analyzing and performing Italian Opera. Then I got my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree in Acting and Literature from Pace University in NYC where I graduated top of my class as Summa Cum Laude. I went on to receive an additional degree from Yale School of Drama’s BADA Program in England via Oxford University.

I’m most proud that my passion for storyteller and imaginative thinking has supported cultural and societal change. Whether that be from the honor to lead the first narrative film about George Floyd’s inspiring life on Hulu or my small role in the Oscar nominated film King Richard. Both supported movements that were all about amplifying black voices in America. Or my classroom teaching experience developing lesson plans for medical doctor students in California to impoverished youth in under served NYC communities.

My hope, is that my creative work’s legacy will be one that supports people to be seen, heard and empowered.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Oh this is a great question.

I had to learn that the life of an artist is never JUST about developing the art itself. Especially in 2025, Artist are also the owners of their own business where their craft is the product they’re selling. Therefore all artist could use the skills needed to run a business in order to grow. I had to unlearn the idea that someone will do it all for you once you’re discovered and as the creative, you only need to be concerned with the art. That belief is either a myth or an element of the past.

While a lucky few may have had that journey, many of us are the CEO, Publicist and even HR of our own podcasts, book series or even our social media influencer brand. The future of creativity to me looks a lot like independents taking matters of their career into our own hands.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My mission statement for my creative journey is to provide a voice to the voiceless. I grew up in a childhood with a lot of loss, trauma and minimal resources to help. I had a lot of odds stacked against me before I even turned 16 and a voice that could have been silenced as a result. But the power of stories to inspire people to do anything, taught me the lessons I needed to navigate my professional work life.

I intend to use my creative journey to share some of these lessons with those who need it most. Whether through screen or in the classroom, I hope to bring people together. To remind people that to be human, is a universal experience. Stories reveal that to us. It is the voiceless, both young and old, that need the insight, skills, and even inspiration to let their story be heard.

Thank you so much for having me Canvas Rebel Magazine!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.raelba.com
• Instagram: @raelba_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raelba/

Image Credits

Photographer: Serin Matous
Athens Park Media
RGA By Design / AD Council
RFE Entertainment
Annapolis Film Festival
University of San Diego