((Written by Ninah Jackson and Ryleigh Roberts))
Our 2024 Keynote Speaker and Bucknell Alum, Gbenga Akinnagbe, came to campus for a lunch Q/A and gave a lecture for the Sustaining Social Movements series. Founder of Liberated People, an activism and apparel lifestyle brand, Akinnagbe spoke on his experiences as actor, wrestler, producer, writer, and activist, with attention to his black experience at Bucknell and in the working world.
Akinnagbe came to Bucknell on a wrestling scholarship and it was not until after graduation that a friend dragged him to a theater for a play that he fell in love with and dedicated his career to acting. He humorously described his numerous auditions and credits participating in local shows, universities, television, and more. He traveled back and forth from New York City to Washington D.C, working as an actor while in an arts school graduate program. Reflecting on these earlier years, Akinnagbe spoke positively of the experience, noting how much fun and fulfilling it was and continues to be.
Speaking on his experience writing and producing, Akinnagbe stated that he “is not one who believes in raging against the machine of pop culture, well– I do, but I prefer to make machines.” He encouraged students to do this as well, noting that the creative process of making one’s own ‘machine,’ he believes, gives people the freedom to make the kind of entertainment content they want to see.
When asked how Bucknell prepared him for Hollywood, Akinnagbe said, “I am used to being around alot of white people… and its also a class thing because there is a lot of class power at this university. So, learning to move in those circles and speak the language without losing myself was crucial for me.”
Concluding, Akinnagbe imparted his personal metric for success in the industry and in life to the students:
“Do good work, consistently. That is my benchmark for success.”
