By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
With the 2016 film "Moonlight," Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar; he soon claimed another for "Green Book" in 2018. Ali forged his artistic path while attending St. Mary’s College of California on a basketball scholarship. To the surprise of those who saw him only as an athlete, during his senior year, he was cast in a play adapted from three Zora Neale Hurston stories. Ali started competing in poetry slams, and secured a California Shakespeare Festival apprenticeship and admission to New York University’s MFA program with performances of his original verses. In a 2019 interview, he reminds budding creatives to rise above people who try to define you, because no one else can tell you where you belong.

12 Quotes To Help You Brush Off Little Mistakes

Get Inspired To Give Back With These Quotes

24 Quotes About the Power of Sticking Together

Start Anew With These 15 Encouraging Quotes

14 Quotes To Change How You Think About Love

12 of the Cheesiest Lines From Hallmark Cards and Movies

10 Moody Quotes From Film Noir

14 Quotes To Celebrate Aquarians

12 Quotes Every Stubborn Person Needs To Read

12 Brief Quotes From Notoriously Long Books

9 Evidence-Based Principles for Living a Longer Life, With Quotes