Today we’d like to introduce you to Isaiah Cowan.
Hi Isaiah, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Growing up as a queer black kid in the majority conservative state of Florida, I knew that I stuck out like a sore thumb in mostly everywhere that I went. The duty of community finding me, was suddenly my responsibility. Where was my village? What did it mean to be gay? What did it mean to be “black”? I found my place in the arts. My brother, a high schooler at the time, produced his first feature film entitled “Chiwon Kids” on a clunky old school, out of date cam recorder and cast me at just 7 years old & the rest was history. It was a high paced martial arts thriller, with comedic elements, a shaky narrative, and an ensemble of characters that had motive. We told stories of love, lost, revenge, discipline & freedom through the lens. It was the most freeing thing I felt at the time. I felt free from the burdens of poverty, that my family was experiencing at the time due to the 2008 financial crisis. I felt free from the constraints of being othered for my effeminate nature. Most importantly, for the first time, in a strange way, I felt comfortable in someone else shoes, as I was them in this fantastical world that didn’t judge them on appearance, but character & motive. Around 2009 I ended up relocating to Atlanta, Ga after my parents divorced & was endowed with community and the arts. I pushed for several years doing plays, sports, and auditions. After minimal success, my father and my first theatre teacher Ms.Crawford took a chance and helped me audition to get me enrolled into DeKalb School of the arts. That was the beginning of my acting career. I toured in school productions, had my first major network audition with Tyler Perry Studios with Nia long for single moms club, and finally understood the business side of acting. It was alot of rejection, but the art form & business thrives in adversity. It was eye opening, I understood talent wasn’t enough, & that your connections, ability to persevere & reputation meant much more. I went into full grind mode. I wanted to be a successful actor more than anything, by any means necessary. My sense of community became a major priority in high school. With civil unrest extremely high, from racial tensions such as Trayvon martin or George Floyd, I knew that advocacy was extremely important. I along with a group of friends created a group called B.A.M or the (black activist movement). This helped create visibility for artists who were overlooked on the basis of race, identity or gender. We created advocacy through the arts by performing theatre, dance and spoken word meant in an act of protest against systems that oppress primarily black & other marginalized communities. Towards the end of my high school career I booked my first two national SAG commercials. One for Coca-Cola & another for Brighthouse/Spectrum. I knew that I was on the right track & that it was all in the timing. College came & I enrolled in the BFA for acting program & continued my advocacy as a founding member for the BUTC (black undergraduate theatre collective). My artistry took a new high as well as my faith and community. I had the opportunity to lead in a Gucci mane/Logic music video & booked my first Co-Star role in Issa Rae’s “Rapsh*t” on HBO. It was my first time working in television and of the best experiences I have ever had. I was able to be all of my identities & celebrated for it. I learned that authenticity trumps all. I have worked on many networks and shows now such as NBC as Jackie on “Chicago PD”, or as Frankie on the Emmy nominated show “Tough Love” on TVOne. Each opportunity reminds of what’s next & what’s possible, which is anything. I’m extremely thankful for my experiences because they have built the foundation of my personhood to be seen & not hidden. Currently I am working on a SAG feature film project that I cannot say too much about, but the film will be focusing heavily on queer identity. It feels extremely full circle to arrive at a place where the art-form I used as an escape, has brought me back to myself.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There were definitely alot of struggles along the way. Having to split the difference between my mother and father as they were divorced was stressful as a kid. I often times would be pulled between Florida & Georgia because they lived so far away from each other & custody over me was not defined on either side. It was tough to call either place home or maintain strong friendships. The most debilitating hit I recently experienced was losing my grandmother. She was such a powerfully minded, politically inclined & intelligent business woman. I learned so much from her. Her and my grandpa were apart of the black panther movement. Their fire lives in me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m known for acting! Some of my more prominent roles include Jackie from the Television Show “Chicago PD” on NBC. Frankie from the Emmy nominated Television show “Tough Love” on TVOne. Gay Man on Issa Rae’s “RapShit” on HBO Max. & other productions such as fatal attraction on TVOne, or Alliance Theatres “Covenant” as U/S for Johnny Honeycomb James.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
Some of my favorite books include “Black Acting Methods” by Sharrell D. Luckett. I really enjoy the method of Soul Work, and the idea of art being an offering for the audience as opposed to a fixed idea. It also reviews art through the lens of the black American experience which is so vital, when so much of art is opted in being evaluated by white elitism. I also really enjoyed reading Sun Tzu’s “Art Of War” this year, it was really eye opening. I highly recommend for anyone interested in furthering business deals or fostering network relationships/allyship. My favorite podcast at the moment are Audrey helps actors podcast. It’s super informative for actors just starting out in the business & even more tenured artist. I also listen to a-lot of sibling rivalry with Monet exchange & Bob the drag queen, it’s really lighthearted, funny, informative and raw.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Isaiahcowan
