Why American actor Omari is diversifying wealth in Kenya

De-rolling from Ghost, Mr Hardwick, 51, was in Kenya recently during the launch of HQ Kenya House, a private membership facility. He spoke to the BDLife about his Kenyan investment prospects, why he decided to diversify after 21 years in arts, and what success and retirement mean to him.

Few people saw you coming, what brings you here?

Opportunity to invest in Kenya and Africa. I kind of understand that this is the point in my life where I can be an interceptor, there has been this career that has been pretty substantial for 21 years at this point.

For the longest time I didn't call what I was doing a career, I just said I was working. But I realised it was a career when it got harder to walk down the streets.

I really struggle with the idea of having fame, which means being preemptive, and my bargain with God is that if I could be of servitude to fame, then it would be good to use it for the good of those who don't have the opportunity. By investing and creating job opportunities, I believe that would be a good course.

Did you have that kind of opportunity growing up?

Well, people tell me, ‘You know Omari, I have read that you grew up in a house where your father worked hard enough, you didn’t struggle like that, you haven’t struggled like these young children in Kenyan townships or the hoods where I come from’. But I have because I found my moments of being poor, having nothing, being homeless, living in cars and all that.

So, because of the lack that I have had then I kind of know how to help people with the gain that I have had because I have had a lot of gains as well as lack. So, this gain is all about the business opportunity to create a win-win for all.

What was it that interested you about Kenya and the opportunity that you see?

I am working with people in fintech (financial technology) and people who are in entertainment and concerts.

And this will be your first time doing this in Africa?

I guess yes. The only other time I invested in the continent was via my art, and my storytelling (as a poet and actor) because I have worked in South Africa as an actor in the movie 'Spell' (2020) and you know with movie productions, there is money going to hotel and hospitality and so my money has added into what that converse is.

However, at this point, as I diversify my portfolio, I have my focus locked into real estate, fintech, festivals and concerts as areas of investment.

As you diversify, is this what you are looking at as your retirement plan?

I ask God if I can live to 102 years just because I became a father later in life; my daughter is 12 and my son is turning 10, so I would love to see what most of my children's wealth looks like and by that, I mean spiritual, human and financial wealth.

In terms of my acting career, I would love 20 more years which would put me at 71 years and then decide if I would work, maybe another 10 but this time behind the camera only. But I am already producing so many things. That’s why I am diversifying. I am not just in front of a camera as an actor anymore.

After 21 years in the acting business, this is the point at which you thought about diversifying. Some would say it took you long.

Up to this point, I was branding. Branding diversifies your programming because once branded there are residual cheques that come from that but obviously when you are an actor.

Residual cheques come that way too. Ironically, it’s never fallen deaf upon my ear that I am a brand too. I have always known that. Nipsey Hussle (late American rapper and entrepreneur) talked a lot about that but this is the first time I am investing in myself as a brand powering myself into a community.

Look, right now we are here at John Burns HQ House Kenya (a sister establishment to another in Washington DC that he owns with his brother Mike).

It’s good to see a guy who walked to me as a 25-year-old while I was performing at an anti-bullying rally in Washington DC build something like this and he is now my right hand and I am his, on this so much global expansion we have started here in Kenya that we intend to replicate in other countries. So you do realise things do take time.

Antony Mackie (Captain America) recently trended when he said, in Hollywood success is given, not earned. You mentioned that you two are close.

I saw that and I get what Antony was getting at. But success is earned if you remember who you are as part of that execution. But yes, there are people in (Hollywood) many of whom are very small and seated in very big seats (as decision-makers) who are very insecure and because of that it does feel as though you will have to wait for your turn to be given a job.

What’s your relationship with Mike Tyson?

We are very close. Death brought us close when my elder brother, whom they were close, was murdered. Mike is the misunderstood son, he has a beautiful heart, and he is a wonderful dude, very passionate and smart but underrated for the brains he has. He gets life in ways that might not be understood by other people.

When was the last time you were afraid?

Thinking about my children getting older and missing spending time with them, I fear that a bit.

How do you de-role after such intense scenes?

You mean how do I shake it? Well, I take a trip to clear my mind and try to get back to being Omari. But I don't think I have to shade a character because a lot of the characters are Omari. I think every character I have ever played, they never leave my psyche, they are embedded in me forever.

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