AKILI MCDOWELL: Hey, I'm Akili McDowell
from "David Makes Man."
Thank you for tuning into OWN's "20 Questions."
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
I have had a nickname.
And my name is Akili, and they call me Kili.
I don't really think it's nothing I would
say I just can't live without.
But if I would say probably have to be my phone
or oxygen. I feel as long as I'm breathing and living,
you know what I'm saying, you have opportunity
to make something happen.
I feel like I'm most proud of myself
when I accomplish something I feel like I
couldn't accomplish at first.
Stay true to yourself and stay focused.
Never forget the main goal.
I would love to be a NFL football player.
Because like I said, growing up, playing football
was a childhood dream.
So it's always been a goal of mine.
I don't really do karaoke.
And I don't really have a go-to type of song either.
But I like listening to rappers like Lil Baby,
J. Cole just dropped--
J. Cole has a cool album.
DJ Khalid dropped a cool album too.
So, yeah, artists like that.
If I could have dinner with people dead or alive,
it would probably have to be my great-grandmother.
Because I know she would be shocked and so proud
of how far I've come and the man I'm becoming.
If I was a superhero, I would want to be the most
intelligent person on Earth.
It's like, I would want to be Google.
It's no question I feel like I wouldn't be able to answer.
You know what I'm saying?
Funny video that I see on social media, on Instagram,
on Twitter, YouTube videos I watch, things like that.
I feel like each and every episode
has a lesson within that people could learn
and that I learn from "David Makes Man."
And I also draw from the characters as well.
They're very relatable and how it teaches you to just
be yourself unapologetically, and be unapologetically Black
and be strong.
Dang, this a tough one.
My favorite scene to film would have
to be a scene from the Hurston episode,
because it was great that--
and it was great filming with the Hurston boys as well.
I do a couple voice exercises and training
exercises that I've learned and picked up over the years.
But besides going over my script, whether that's
with myself or with my scene partner, just making sure
I have a good understanding of the scene.
I mean, yeah, for sure.
I feel like even though David's a little
off, once you get to know David Young, he's a cool kid.
I love working alongside Alana Arenas.
She's super-talented and amazing.
It's amazing.
You know what I'm saying?
And I honestly do appreciate the honor
to be working alongside a powerful Black cast and crew.
My favorite season this time of year
is winter time, Capricorn season, honestly,
because Christmas and my birthday.
When I was younger, I had dreamed of going to the NFL.
You know what I'm saying?
And it was just ironically that I booked my first academy
commercial with Emmitt Smith.
So that kind of persuaded me to do football
and acting at the same time.
Can you ask a Akili to help me with my shoe style?
[CHUCKLES] Travis got style.
Travis got game.
But of course I can pick up some tips from Travis myself.
I love playing David Young.
I wouldn't necessarily even say I would
want to play another character.
But I wouldn't mind paying another character.
Yes.
Ask Tarell Alvin McCraney what was his favorite thing
about writing season 2?